#Germany #Hamburg #Alisher Usmanov #Saodat Narzieva #Hamburg Court

Alisher Usmanov's Legal Triumph in Hamburg

In a significant legal battle, Alisher Usmanov, a prominent businessman, has emerged victorious from the Hamburg Regional Court regarding allegations that were aimed at justifying sanctions against his sister, Saodat Narzieva. This landmark decision revolves around statements made by a German individual on Facebook, accusing Usmanov of using his sister to hide assets in Swiss bank accounts—a claim that has been tied to the sanctions imposed by the EU and UK in 2022.

Background of the Case

The saga began when Saodat Narzieva was included on the EU and UK sanctions lists in April 2022, based on reports from various media, including The Guardian and the OCCRP investigative journalism network. These reports claimed that Usmanov had allegedly transferred substantial assets to Narzieva and that she possessed numerous Swiss bank accounts connected to him. However, both Usmanov and Narzieva denied these allegations vehemently.

As investigations progressed, it became evident that the allegations were founded on a misinterpretation of incomplete data and flawed analyses stemming from the infamous “Suisse Secrets” leak. By September 2022, the EU Council acknowledged the inaccuracies of the claims and removed Narzieva from the sanctions list, yet the UK’s restrictions continued to apply.

The Court Ruling

Fast forward to September 2025, a Facebook post by a German citizen reignited the controversy. The post claimed Usmanov had placed Narzieva as the beneficial owner of various accounts at Credit Suisse. After the author declined to retract the statement, Usmanov took legal action. The Hamburg Regional Court ruled that the statement was unlawful and infringed on Usmanov's rights, thus enforcing an injunction that could result in significant penalties if ignored.

The court stipulated that non-compliance could incur administrative fines up to €250,000 or coercive detention lasting up to six months for repeated violations. Following the judgment, the disputed Facebook post was taken down.

Implications of the Judgment

This ruling is not an isolated incident. Over the years, several media outlets—including those in the US, UK, Ireland, and Germany—have retracted similar defamatory statements concerning Usmanov and Narzieva, reflecting a trend where unverified accusations have been dismantled through legal scrutiny.

Joachim Steinhöfel, representing Usmanov, emphasized the significance of this verdict, asserting that it reaffirms that accusations should be rooted in factual evidence and not based on media misreporting. He noted, “This judgment from the Hamburg court, along with Narzieva’s removal from the sanctions list by the EU, illustrates that the restrictive measures against her were improperly founded and ought to be revoked globally by other jurisdictions.”

Conclusion

Usmanov's court victory serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of unfounded accusations and the importance of safeguarding individual rights against misinformation. As the repercussions of this case resonate, it can also influence how financial and reputational securities are managed in future sanctions deliberations. The ruling has brought a semblance of justice for Usmanov and his family, reestablishing their standing amidst a backdrop of previous inaccuracies propagated in the media and legal procedures.