Former attorney-general Christian Porter has taken on a legal fight for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who several Western governments have sanctioned due to his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Deripaska, once believed to be the richest man in Russia, owns the world’s largest aluminium producer and has a stake in a Queensland alumina refinery. He was hit with financial sanctions and a travel ban to Australia following the invasion of Ukraine in 2020.
Deripaska has denied supporting or benefiting from the Russian government and has challenged the sanctions, claiming that he is not engaged in any activity of economic or strategic significance to Russia.
The government argues that Deripaska holds a Russian diplomatic passport, has previously claimed to represent the Russian government and has been involved in businesses in the Russian extractives and energy sectors.
Porter, who returned to the legal profession after retiring in September 2021, leads the legal fight for Deripaska. Porter acted as social services minister between 2015 and 2017 before being promoted to attorney-general.
The case is expected to be held in Perth, although no date has been set yet.
»Christian Porter takes on legal fight for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska«
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