UK: London accused of complacency over visas offered to Russian oligarchs

London police evict protesters who have taken over the house believed to belong to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

March 14, 2022. (Illustration).

AFP - TOLGA AKMEN

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

Russian oligarchs welcomed with open arms in the UK.

The British daily the Guardian reveals that billionaires close to Putin received their golden visas after the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

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With our correspondent in London

,

Marie Boëda

A “

shocking complacency

 ” from the UK, says an organization that fights corruption.

We learn that among the Russians who received a golden visa after 2014, seven are today subject to sanctions by the government, because they are considered close to Vladimir Putin, and therefore accomplices in his actions in Ukraine.

These golden visas, banned since

the war broke out two months ago

, allowed wealthy investors, holders of at least 2.3 million euros, to become British residents.

A way also to launder dirty money, remind its detractors.

An expected report

The measure was popular especially among Russian billionaires, maintaining relations with the Kremlin.

The UK government pledged a month ago to release a report on the scheme, but when it was to be released remains a mystery.

UK used sanctions on Russian oligarchs to show disagreement with Moscow, but

visa ban

should have been done much sooner after Crimea was invaded in 2014, MP says labor.

This news could overshadow

Boris Johnson

's latest announcements .

The Prime Minister multiplies the declarations of solidarity towards the invaded people;

he plans to reopen the British embassy in kyiv and step up military aid by sending tanks to the Ukrainians.

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