Squatters occupy London mansion thought to belong to sanctioned Russian oligarch

4 yıl önce

A group of squatters displayed banners and a Ukrainian national flag on the facade of a mansion supposedly belonging to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Belgrave Square, central London, on March 14, 2022 as they occupy it. Oleg Deripaska is one of the seven Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned by Britain's Government.

Tolga Akmen | AFP | Getty Images

LONDON â Squatters have occupied a London mansion thought to belong to one of the Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the British government.

The property in Belgrave Square â one of London's most exclusive neighborhoods, located just moments from Buckingham Palace â is said to be owned by billionaire energy mogul Oleg Deripaska, who was sanctioned by authorities last week over his ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Protesters took occupation of the luxury property early Monday, draping it with Ukrainian flags and a sign saying "this property has been liberated."

According to the BBC, the group claimed to "do the job" of authorities, who have come under criticism for their apparent delay in clamping down on members of Putin's inner circle.

Police in riot gear reportedly entered the property midday Monday after reports that the squatters were on the property. It is not clear how the protesters gained access to the building.

Ownership details of the multimillion-pound, historic property at Five Belgrave Square are murky. However, High Court documents named Deripaska as the beneficial owner over a decade ago, according to Sky News.

Public records show the mansion was originally purchased and is currently held by Ravellot Limited, an offshore company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, the BBC has reported.

People protesting the invasion of Ukraine occupy a mansion, reportedly owned by members of billionaire Oleg Deripaska's family, in London, U.K., on Monday, March 14, 2022. The group plan to remain in the property until the war is over and all of the refugees have been housed, one of the protesters said.

Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The British government on Thursday put Deripaska, founder of metals and hydropower company EN+ and six other businesses, on a growing list of Putin allies sanctioned by authorities. The sanctions state that his assets will be seized and travel restricted.

The tycoon, whose wealth derives from the privatization of Russian state assets, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2018.

The protesters reportedly called for the seven-bedroom mansion, which houses a Turkish bath and home cinema, to be made available to Ukrainian refugees.

It comes after U.K. Housing Minister Michael Gove on Sunday touted a similar idea, telling the BBC that he was exploring the possibility of housing migrants in properties seized by the government.

"I want to explore an option which would allow us to use the homes and properties of sanctioned individuals for as long as they are sanctioned for humanitarian and other purposes," he told the BBC.