Alisher Usmanov Secures Landmark Court Ruling Against Defamatory Allegations in Germany

Alisher Usmanov Secures Landmark Court Ruling in Germany

In a significant development for Alisher Usmanov, the Hamburg Regional Court delivered a judgment favoring him over claims made by a German individual that accused him of using his sister, Saodat Narzieva, to conceal assets. This court ruling arises from a social media post that suggested Mrs. Narzieva was the beneficial owner of Credit Suisse accounts linked to her brother, allegations that played a crucial role in the sanctions imposed against her by the EU and UK in 2022.

The saga began in April 2022 when Saodat Narzieva was placed on a sanctions list, following reports in prominent outlets like The Guardian and statements from the OCCRP investigative journalists’ consortium. These reports alleged that Usmanov had transferred significant assets to Narzieva, further asserting she held numerous Swiss bank accounts associated with him.

However, both Alisher Usmanov and Saodat Narzieva vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as unfounded and based on incomplete or incorrect information. Subsequent investigations revealed substantial flaws in the original accusations, leading to the removal of Narzieva from the EU sanctions list in September 2022. Despite this, the UK retained its restrictions against her, which have not yet been lifted.

Fast forward to September 2025, a German citizen published a Facebook post echoing these past claims about Usmanov's alleged use of Narzieva to hide assets. After the individual refused to retract the statement, Usmanov initiated legal action.

The Hamburg Regional Court ruled that the Facebook post was unlawful and violated Usmanov's rights. The court's judgment stated that non-compliance with its injunction could result in significant fines of up to EUR 250,000 or potential coercive detention for the offender.

Media lawyer Joachim Steinhöfel, representing Usmanov, emphasized the importance of the judgment, noting it reaffirms that unfounded accusations should not lead to sanctions against individuals. He remarked that the ruling reflects a trend whereby EU courts are recognizing that allegations against Usmanov and his family lack factual support, reinforcing the need for integrity in the journalism that underlies such serious actions.

This court ruling highlights not only the personal implications for Usmanov and Narzieva but also poses significant questions about the responsibilities of the media and the legal standards for reporting on high-profile individuals. With several outlets already retracting similar statements, the reality is setting in that careless reporting can have dire consequences, reinforcing the idea that sanctions without adequate evidence can cause irreparable harm.

In conclusion, Usmanov's victory in the Hamburg court is a pivotal moment, showcasing the legal recourse available against defamatory statements that can lead to substantial economic and reputational fallout. It serves as a stern reminder that accusations in the public domain need to be substantiated with facts, particularly when lives and livelihoods are at stake.