Abramovich's close associate misled UK court in £1bn oil-fields case, documents suggest
Leaked documents suggest that Eugene Tenenbaum, a close associate of Roman Abramovich, misled a UK court during a 2008 legal battle over Siberian oil fields. The evidence indicates that Tenenbaum may have lied about his knowledge of the venture to help Abramovich successfully defend against claims of fraud.
Why it matters
The revelations raise significant questions about the integrity of legal proceedings involving high-profile Russian oligarchs and the role of professional advisers in facilitating the concealment of assets.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Eugene Tenenbaum (left) with Roman Abramovich (right) at Chelsea FC, in 2014
One of Roman Abramovich's closest associates misled a UK court to help secure ownership of Siberian oil fields, leaked documents seen by the BBC suggest.
Eugene Tenenbaum, a former director of Chelsea Football Club, helped to manage the billionaire's wealth at the time of the case in 2008, which Abramovich won.
Tenenbaum was giving evidence during proceedings taken against Abramovich by a company owned by another Russian billionaire, who was claiming the oil fields had been stolen from him and other investors.
The leaked documents now suggest there was a premeditated attempt by Abramovich to reduce the value of the other investors' stake in the Siberian venture.
Roman Abramovich's lawyers say their "client denies all the allegations made against him".
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