Ex-Everton director loses Russian sanctions challenge

"Sarvar Ismailov asked ministers to review the decision in 2023 and while the wording of the designation under sanction laws was amended in 2024, he remained sanctioned. His lawyers told a hearing earlier this month it was "outrageously unfair" that he was being sanctioned "simply for being his uncle's nephew". The Foreign Office defended the claim, however, with its barristers telling the court in London that sanctioning people based on familial relations "serves several rational and legitimate purposes"."

"Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini dismissed Ismailov's claim, finding the Foreign Office was "uniquely well-placed to assess whether sanctions decisions would achieve their intended purpose" and that the decision was not "irrational". The judge also accepted in his 46-page ruling that it was "reasonable to assume" that Ismailov could "exert pressure" on his uncle and the decision to continue sanctioning him was "plainly connected" with the objectives of the sanctions scheme, including showing there were "negative consequences" to associating with those with ties to Russia."

"He said: "The question is not whether the claimant's designation will of itself bring the conflict to an end. "Rather, the question is whether the measure is capable of contributing to the stated objective as part of the overall sanctions regime. The decision to maintain the designation of the claimant is so capable." He continued: "The claimant's designation, and others like him who are 'associated with' [Mr"

Sarvar Ismailov, a former Everton Football Club director, lost a High Court challenge against the Foreign Office’s decision to keep sanctions in place. He and his brother Sanjar were sanctioned in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because they are nephews of Uzbek-Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ismailov sought a review in 2023, and although the legal wording was amended in 2024, he remained sanctioned. His lawyers argued the sanctions were unfair because they were based on family relationship alone. The Foreign Office defended the approach, and the judge found the decision rational and connected to sanctions objectives, including deterring association and creating negative consequences.

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