Leading London-based independent law firm Gherson Solicitors has today secured the removal of Andriy Klyuyev from the EU sanctions list after a five-year battle with authorities.
The former head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration under President Victor Yanukovych, Andriy Klyuyev had been placed on the EU sanctions list in April 2014. Andriy, who had previously held other high-level posts in the former Ukrainian government including Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, was placed on the list amid allegations of misappropriation of state funds. The EU had argued at the time that Andriy, his brother Sergiy Klyuyev as well as Yanukovych, and others close to the regime “were responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds or for abuse of office, causing a loss to Ukrainian public funds.”
Despite securing the removal of identical sanctions imposed on Sergiy Klyuyev in 2018, the Gherson team led by partner Roger Gherson and solicitor Thomas Garner continued to fight for the deletion of Andriy from the list. The team has been instructed in this case since the outset and instructed Brian Kennelly QC and Jason Pobjoy of Blackstone Chambers to help ensure a successful outcome for the client.
Commenting on the case, Thomas Garner stated:
“These sanctions were nothing more than a politically motivated attack on our client by elements of the new government in The Ukraine.
The most shocking aspect of this whole case is the blind acceptance and rubber-stamping exhibited by the Council of the EU in imposing and renewing sanctions simply on the basis of misleading, and in some cases, downright incorrect information supplied by the General Prosecutor’s Office in Ukraine. Despite compelling and voluminous evidence presented to them by us since 2014 the Council has continued to maintain these incredibly damaging sanctions against our client. Whilst we are naturally delighted by the result, we are dismayed that it has taken nearly 5 years to reach this point.”
He continued:
“The imposition of these sanctions caused our client and his family significant distress and inflicted irrevocable reputational damage. They have had a devastating effect on his business interests and resulted in huge financial losses.”
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2019