London Gallery Linked to Princess Eugenie Charged With Violating UK Export Ban to Russia

British authorities have charged the London art gallery Hauser & Wirth—where Princess Eugenie holds a director position—with violating the UK’s ban on exporting luxury goods to Russia.

According to The Telegraph, investigators allege that between April and December 2022 the gallery provided a “luxury item” to an individual linked to Russia.

The Times reports that authorities believe the gallery transferred George Condo’s painting Escape From Humanity to Russian collector Alexander Popov, who is not under sanctions and has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The case also involves Artay Rauchwerger Solomons Limited, formerly Art Logistics, which handled transportation of the artwork. According to The Times, prosecutors say the company breached the same export ban between August and December 2022. The firm denies the charges.

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The UK introduced restrictions on exporting artworks, jewelry, cars, and other luxury goods worth more than £250 in April 2022. The investigation, launched by HM Revenue & Customs, is the first prosecution under this rule.

Princess Eugenie has worked with Hauser & Wirth since 2015. Both The Telegraph and The Times report that there is no evidence she was involved in the alleged transaction. The case is scheduled to continue at Southwark Crown Court on December 16.

Earlier, Hungarian company Milspace Kft helped Russian defense enterprises bypass sanctions by arranging helicopter repair services through Kazakhstan. The firm coordinated logistics with Moscow-based suppliers, worked with a licensed Kazakh facility linked to Mil Design Bureau, and proposed schemes to Mexican aviation partners despite restrictions on Russia’s arms industry.

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