Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, a sanctioned former Russian governor is facing trial in the United Kingdom for allegedly violating financial restrictions. The individual, who once held an important government position in a key Crimean city, is accused of using money for personal expenses despite being under strict sanctions. Prosecutors claim he and his family tried to bypass these rules by secretly transferring funds.
Ovsiannikov, who was in power from 2016 to 2019, is being prosecuted alongside his wife and brother. They are all accused of helping him spend money illegally. The charges include breaking sanctions and money laundering. If found guilty, they could face years in prison.
The UK imposed sanctions on the governor in 2020 as part of its response to international conflicts. These sanctions meant he could not legally use or receive money in the UK. However, prosecutors say he found ways around these restrictions by using his family’s help. The trial, which is taking place in London, is a significant moment in the UK’s effort to enforce sanctions on individuals linked to foreign governments.
How the Alleged Sanctions Violation Happened
According to prosecutors, the governor arrived in the UK in early 2023 and soon opened a bank account by providing false information. Shortly after, his wife transferred a large sum of money—about £76,000—into this account. The money was then used to try to purchase a luxury car worth £54,000. When the bank froze his account due to the sanctions, his brother stepped in and bought the car instead. Ovsiannikov then used the car as his own.
In addition to the car purchase, prosecutors say the governor used money to pay private school fees for his children. His brother reportedly made payments totaling over £41,000 to a school in Surrey, helping to cover the costs of education despite the financial restrictions. The prosecution argues that both the wife and brother knew about the sanctions but still helped him access money illegally.
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Prosecutors presented what they call “clear evidence” that the governor was fully aware of his sanctioned status. They pointed to an email he sent to UK authorities, in which he specifically asked for his name to be removed from the sanctions list. This email, they say, proves he knew he was under restrictions and was actively trying to get around them.
What the Court Has Heard So Far
The trial, which is being held at Southwark Crown Court, has revealed several key details about the case. Prosecutors say the governor’s financial activity was closely monitored, leading to the discovery of multiple transactions that violated the sanctions. They have also pointed out that even after his account was frozen, he continued spending money using his brother’s debit card at luxury stores.
Ovsiannikov’s legal team has denied all wrongdoing. They argue that neither his wife nor his brother were aware of the full extent of the sanctions and did not knowingly break the law. However, the prosecution insists that it is “unbelievable” that they did not know, given the seriousness of the restrictions placed on him.
The case is being closely watched because it is one of the first criminal trials in the UK related to sanctions violations. If convicted, the governor faces up to seven years in prison for breaching sanctions and up to 14 years for money laundering. His wife and brother also face significant legal consequences.
As the trial continues, more details are expected to emerge about how the governor managed to live in the UK despite the restrictions. For now, the prosecution remains firm in its claim that he knowingly broke the law, and that his family members actively helped him do so.
