**Abramovich's Yacht Leasing Scheme Uncovered: A Decade of Alleged Tax Evasion**

The article explores the intricacies of Abramovich's alleged tax evasion, revealing a web of companies designed to mislead authorities.

In a startling revelation, an investigative probe into Roman Abramovich’s superyacht leasing operations has unveiled a systematic scheme that reportedly allowed the Russian oligarch to evade millions in euros in VAT payments. The investigation, conducted by the BBC and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, has unearthed substantial evidence suggesting that Abramovich falsely presented his extensive fleet of luxury yachts as part of a bona fide commercial venture spanning over a decade.

Christmas 2011 marked the time when Abramovich took delivery of his superyacht, Eclipse. Although records indicated he had chartered the yacht through a British Virgin Islands-based company, photographs from that year depict him enjoying the yacht while on holiday in the Caribbean. These chartering records are part of a larger investigation illustrating a sophisticated approach to mislead tax authorities.

According to Italian tax lawyer Tommaso Di Tanno, the actions outlined in this scheme constitute criminal tax evasion. Abramovich's legal team, however, asserts that he has consistently adhered to professional legal and tax counsel, thereby acting within the law.

The investigation reveals that Abramovich acquired five opulent yachts during the 2000s, including the illustrious Pelorus and the record-breaking Eclipse, which together purportedly formed the foundation of his tax evasion strategy. Over 400,000 documents and 72,000 emails leaked from a Cypriot corporate service provider reveal the mechanisms of this scheme, showcasing how companies controlled by Abramovich hired out yachts to themselves, effectively obscuring their true ownership and leveraging tax loopholes.

Key documents from 2005 detail a “Operating Structure” for the management of Abramovich’s yachts, outlining strategies to misrepresent their purpose to avoid VAT on multi-million euro purchases. The leaked files suggest that those managing Blue Ocean Yacht Management, the company charged with overseeing the yachts, purposefully obscured ownership ties to avoid scrutiny.

Concerns about the legitimacy of this structure were highlighted in a memorandum, where Jonathan Holloway, then a director of Blue Ocean, cautioned associates about the risks of exposure. He indicated that sharing common shareholders or registered addresses could jeopardize their operation's façade. The subsequent reorganization of the company’s structure, via separate trusts, was aimed at enhancing this guise.

Professors and tax experts consulted in the investigation have pointed out that the setup was intended purely for tax avoidance. Rita de la Feria, a noted tax expert, stated that the indications of misrepresentation fell squarely into the realm of tax evasion.

In legal terms, the scrutiny surrounding Abramovich's dealings has ever since become a matter of contention, with investigations peeking into up to €17 million in unpaid VAT charges. As Blue Ocean maintained claims of being a commercial operator, this was refuted by Cyprus tax officials, who found no substantial evidence supporting such claims.

At the heart of this inquiry are charter agreements and transactions that appear to have been backdated, leading to the acquisition of tax exemptions based on misleading commercial classifications. Notably, various meetings were recorded to manipulate charter agreements so that financial disclosures were minimized, mirroring concerns over the legitimacy of their commercial activities.

Despite these allegations, Abramovich’s legal representation maintains his innocence, denying any claims that he personally engaged in deceptive practices regarding tax evasion. However, the investigation’s broad range of evidence raises significant questions regarding the permissibility of such complex corporate maneuvers.

As the probe continues, with the broader aim of examining financial practices of associates of the Russian regime, the implications of Abramovich's yacht leasing scheme remain a focal point, encapsulating the challenge of ensuring accountability for high-net-worth individuals. The international investigative efforts forward questions about transparency and the regulatory consistency in markets deemed as tax havens—a theme likely to resonate far beyond Abramovich's fleet.