Royal in Trouble: King’s Kin Faces Jail for Flying Russian Tycoon to Kenya
A close relative of King Charles of the United Kingdom faces 30 years in prison if he is found to have violated U.S. law by harboring a sanctioned Russian billionaire at his Kenyan ranch.
In February 2021, the King’s relative was accused of transporting Oleg Deripaska, a Russian national, to one of the exclusive safaris in Laikipia County.
The British socialite based in New York, whose father is the King’s third cousin, allegedly hosted the magnate through her charity organization in Manhattan, which violates US sanctions laws.
Manhattan is one of the 5 boroughs of New York City with the highest population density and is sometimes referred to as the global capital of commerce.
The Treasury Department prohibits US citizens and entities from engaging in financial transactions and other dealings with sanctioned individuals under US law.
“Those convicted may face up to 30 years in prison. The same consequence applies to a sanctioned individual who interacts with US citizens, according to the law.
According to the US Department of Justice, on April 6, 2018, economic sanctions were imposed on oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is closely associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The tycoon was accused of acting on behalf of the Russian government by issuing threats against Ukraine and jeopardizing U.S. national security and foreign policy.
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In Kenya, the company that hosted him did not refute his visit, but it vehemently denied intentionally violating US laws.
“We are unable to affirm or deny whether the company violated US sanctions in connection with the 2021 safari. What we can say is that neither the company nor I have ever intentionally or knowingly violated sanctions,” a representative of the company, whose US branch listed the King’s relative as an employee, said.
According to reports, Deripaska, who is characterized as a close friend of President Vladimir Putin, flew a private jet directly to Nairobi.
After landing in Nairobi, the oligarch was whisked to Laikipia County in a chartered helicopter, accompanied by his escort, butler, and an executive from one of Russia’s largest aluminum companies.
During his three-day stay in Laikipia, he observed lions, cheetahs, and elephants and relished the ranch’s amenities.
The estate is accessible only by invitation and costs an average of Ksh670,000 per day.
The Russian tycoon’s ranch and private helicopter are foreign-owned. Unconfirmed is whether Kenya violated any laws by hosting the sanctioned Russian billionaire.
Royal in Trouble: King’s Kin Faces Jail for Flying Russian Tycoon to Kenya
