Abramovich ally says UK sanctions imposed due to 'pressure' on minister

FILE PHOTO: Sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich sits in a VIP lounge at Ben Gurion international airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel, March 14, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - A billionaire ally of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich renewed his bid to overturn British sanctions at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, saying he was targeted because of pressure put on then Foreign Secretary Liz Truss by a Cabinet colleague.

Oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler was sanctioned in March 2022 on the grounds of his association with former Chelsea Football Club owner Abramovich. His two private jets were also seized.