Cyprus police investigate Roman Abramovich's financial and tax affairs

Probe follows reporting that backdated paperwork appeared to help the former Chelsea owner dodge tax and disguise billions in assets

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

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Police in Cyprus have opened an investigation into the financial and tax affairs of Roman Abramovich, the former Chelsea FC owner, following an investigation by the Guardian, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC. The probe, disclosed at a parliamentary committee hearing, covers events between 2003 and 2006 and is expected to last about six months.

Andreas Anastasiades, assistant director of Cyprus's crime combating department, told the parliamentary committee on institutions, values and the commissioner for administration that police had begun gathering evidence, according to CIReN, the Guardian's Cypriot reporting partner. He said the amount of time that had elapsed would make the investigation more difficult, and that police would consult the relevant authorities to assess the available material.

The investigation follows reporting, based on the Cyprus Confidential leak of more than 500,000 documents, that aides of Abramovich, including staff at the Cypriot outpost of the accountancy firm Deloitte, appeared to have falsified paperwork mapping his offshore businesses. The apparent backdating of key documents concerning billions of pounds in assets helped businesses owned by Abramovich dodge tax and disguise assets, the report found.

Abramovich has previously denied any wrongdoing and said he relied on the advice of professional experts. Deloitte Cyprus has said it acts in compliance with all applicable laws and that it could no longer access the relevant material because of the time that had elapsed. The Guardian approached representatives of both for comment.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The investigation gives official state attention to leaked documents that allegedly showed backdating and falsification of paperwork in Abramovich's offshore empire.
It covers events from two decades ago, so the outcome will test whether tax offences from that era can still be pursued.
The findings also implicate a major global accountancy firm's Cyprus outpost, raising questions about professional gatekeeping.

Background

The case stems from Cyprus Confidential, a leak of more than 500,000 documents first released to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and analysed by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, the BBC and others. The Guardian reported that aides appeared to have falsified paperwork mapping Abramovich's offshore businesses. Abramovich, a Russian billionaire and ex-owner of Chelsea FC, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Key Perspectives

Cyprus Police: The investigation is under way, evidence is being gathered, and the probe is expected to last six months. Officials have cautioned that the passage of time makes the case harder to pursue. Roman Abramovich and Deloitte Cyprus: Abramovich says he relied on professional experts and denies wrongdoing. Deloitte Cyprus says it complies with all applicable laws and can no longer access the material due to the time elapsed. Critics and skeptics: The reliance on a leaked cache of documents and the decades-long gap could complicate any prosecution. Representatives of both parties have indicated the material is no longer accessible to them, which may raise fairness questions as investigators consult authorities.

What to Watch

Whether the six-month investigation leads to charges, formal findings, or is closed.
Whether other jurisdictions with links to Abramovich's assets act on the leak's findings.
Any legal challenges or responses from Abramovich and Deloitte Cyprus as the probe progresses.

Sources

Cyprus police investigate financial and tax affairs of ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich · Business | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedCyprus police are investigating Roman Abramovich’s financial and tax affairs.Business | The Guardian: “Cyprus police have opened an investigation into the financial and tax affairs of the former Chelsea FC owner, Roman Abramovich”
SupportedThe probe follows reporting by the Guardian, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC.Business | The Guardian: “It comes in the wake of an investigation by the Guardian, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC”
Partly supportedThe summary says backdated paperwork appeared to help disguise billions in assets.Business | The Guardian: “Their actions, including the apparent backdating of key documents concerning billions of pounds in assets, appear to have helped businesses owned by Abramovich to dodge tax and disguise assets”
SupportedThe probe concerns events from 2003 to 2006 and is expected to last about six months.Business | The Guardian: “a senior official in the island’s police said they were looking into events between 2003 and 2006, with the probe likely to last several months. [...] expected the investigation to last six months”
SupportedAt a parliamentary committee hearing, Andreas Anastasiades said police had begun gathering evidence.Business | The Guardian: “Andreas Anastasiades, assistant director of the crime combating department, said police had begun gathering evidence following the report”
SupportedAnastasiades said the elapsed time would make the investigation more difficult.Business | The Guardian: “he said the amount of time that had elapsed would make the investigation more difficult”
SupportedPolice would consult relevant authorities to assess the available material.Business | The Guardian: “He said police would also consult the relevant authorities to assess the available material.”
SupportedThe reporting was based on the Cyprus Confidential leak of more than 500,000 documents.Business | The Guardian: “The Guardian’s findings in relation to Abramovich’s finances were based on the Cyprus Confidential leak of more than 500,000 documents”
SupportedAbramovich’s aides, including staff at Deloitte’s Cypriot outpost, appeared to have falsified paperwork mapping his offshore businesses.Business | The Guardian: “The report found that aides of Abramovich – including staff at the Cypriot outpost of the global accountancy firm Deloitte – appeared to have falsified paperwork mapping his offshore businesses.”
Partly supportedThe story says apparent backdating helped Abramovich-owned businesses dodge tax and disguise assets.Business | The Guardian: “Their actions, including the apparent backdating of key documents concerning billions of pounds in assets, appear to have helped businesses owned by Abramovich to dodge tax and disguise assets”
SupportedAbramovich has previously denied wrongdoing and said he relied on professional experts’ advice.Business | The Guardian: “The former Chelsea FC owner has previously denied any wrongdoing and said that he relied on the advice of professional experts.”
SupportedDeloitte Cyprus said it complies with applicable laws and could no longer access the relevant material because of the time elapsed.Business | The Guardian: “Deloitte Cyprus has previously said that it “acts in compliance with all applicable laws” and that it could no longer access the relevant material because of the time that had elapsed.”