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EU Lifts Asset Freezes on Usmanov, Fridman

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 11:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

EU Lifts Sanctions

EU in Belgium lifted asset freezes and travel bans on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
France said the delisting was tied to a prisoner-release deal with Azerbaijan and national-security concerns.
Luxembourg sought identical relief for Fridman, who filed a $16-billion claim.
Latvia initially blocked the move, then abstained, citing risks to its Oct. 3 election.
Ukrainian sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk said he was shocked and doubted the delisting.

Summary

Aliyev Grants Pardons

President Ilham Aliyev pardoned 20 inmates, citing health and personal circumstances.
French citizen Martin Ryan, convicted of espionage in March, was the only French prisoner pardoned.
French detainee Anass Derraz remains jailed on accusations of taking a Russian bribe.
Prosecutors alleged Ryan spied on Azerbaijan’s ties with Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and firms linked to Russia and China.
Azad Mamedli received a 12-year sentence and was omitted from the pardon list.

History

Historical Context

In March 2014, the European Union imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia following its annexation of Crimea, freezing assets of dozens of Russian oligarchs. The sanctions targeted Alisher Usmanov, Mikhail Fridman, and others, collectively immobilizing roughly €1 billion in holdings and prompting a €16 billion compensation claim by Fridman. Today, the EU lift of freezes on Usmanov and Fridman echoes 2014 sanctions, while Azerbaijan’s president Ilham Aliyev pardoned 20 inmates, including spy Martin Ryan. These moves signal a shift toward pragmatic diplomacy, risking sanction credibility and prompting Ukraine’s commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk to warn of weakened collective security.

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EU Lifts Sanctions

EU in Belgium lifted asset freezes and travel bans on Russian billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman.
France said the delisting was tied to a prisoner-release deal with Azerbaijan and national-security concerns.
Luxembourg sought identical relief for Fridman, who filed a $16-billion claim.
Latvia initially blocked the move, then abstained, citing risks to its Oct. 3 election.
Ukrainian sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk said he was shocked and doubted the delisting.

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