UK Supreme Court Upholds Sanctions Against Multiple Russian-Linked Oligarchs

The United Kingdom's Supreme Court has upheld sanctions measures against individuals and assets linked to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It ruled in favor of the continued detention of the superyacht Phi, owned by Sergei Naumenko, despite Naumenko not being individually sanctioned, reasoning that the yacht's economic potential could indirectly benefit Russian interests. Additionally, the Court upheld sanctions against billionaire oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, citing his ties to Roman Abramovich and affirming that such sanctions serve the UK's foreign policy objectives. The Court dismissed challenges that the sanctions were disproportionate or lacked rational connection to their aims, emphasizing the importance of their effectiveness in applying pressure. There was, however, dissent regarding the consistency of the sanctions regime, with criticism highlighting that other entities with significant Russian business ties were not similarly sanctioned. These rulings collectively reinforce the UK's robust stance on enforcing sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, balancing individual rights against broader public interest goals.