{"id":51232,"date":"2022-03-12T13:58:14","date_gmt":"2022-03-12T00:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=51232"},"modified":"2024-07-12T11:47:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T23:47:01","slug":"case-for-freezing-abramovs-assets-grows-stronger-as-ukraine-peace-flotilla-nears-helena-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/press-release\/case-for-freezing-abramovs-assets-grows-stronger-as-ukraine-peace-flotilla-nears-helena-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Case for freezing Abramov\u2019s assets grows stronger as Ukraine peace flotilla nears Helena Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The justification for sanctioning New Zealand\u2019s wealthiest Russian investor, Alexander Abramov is growing stronger by the day according to Greenpeace Aotearoa which has today released a list of points to make the case for freezing the oligarch\u2019s assets immediately.<\/p>\n\n

Sailing towards Abramov\u2019s luxury Helena Bay resort on the Northland coast with the Ukraine Peace Flotilla<\/a>, Greenpeace Aotearoa programme director says “Greenpeace applauds the Government passing the Russia Sanctions Act, however, Putin\u2019s war is now 17 days old. People are dying and the billionaire oligarch Alexander Abramov\u2019s has yet to be sanctioned in New Zealand. There is a strong moral case for action, and it is backed up by some clear connections to Putin\u2019s sphere of influence.”<\/p>\n\n

“The point of sanctions is to put pressure on Putin to end the war on Ukraine, and that cannot wait. Abramov is the wealthiest Russian investor in New Zealand and the case for sanctions against him is strong. We urge the Government to freeze his assets without delay.”<\/p>\n\n

Abramov is co-founder and chairman of Russian steel producer Evraz, with an estimated net worth of $5.9 billion. He also owns a luxury retreat in Helena Bay to which the ‘Ukraine Peace Flotilla<\/a>‘ is currently setting sail, calling on the Government to freeze the assets of oligarchs like Abramov.<\/a><\/p>\n\n

\"Alexander
Alexander Abramov and Russian President Vladimir Putin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Abramov is the chairman and 29% shareholder in UK based steel company Evraz which has been accused<\/a> of providing steel to build Russian tanks.<\/p>\n\n

Abramov also has close ties with fellow oligarch Roman Abramovich, the recent owner of Chelsea Football Club whose assets have been frozen by the UK over “clear links to Putin<\/a>“. The two oligarchs are investment partners in businesses across the world, including substantial ownership of the Steel Company, Ezra.<\/p>\n\n

Vladimir Putin\u2019s biographer, Chris Hutchins, described the relationship between the Russian president and Abramov\u2019s business partner Abramovich, as \u2018like that between a father and a favourite son.\u2019<\/p>\n\n

Further evidence of Abramov\u2019s close ties with Putin include:<\/p>\n\n