The Guardian notes that real estate in Central London owned Abramovich (pictured), Usmanov, Guriev, Goncharenko and Shuvalov

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The UK can seize the property of Russian businessmen and politicians in London, if they can’t explain the origin of the funds that bought these assets. According to British newspaper The Guardian, these measures the government are considering as a response to the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.

Britain can amend the “Magnitsky act” and to prohibit buying property in the United Kingdom to persons involved in corruption or human rights violations. This should also allow the British authorities to seize assets of dubious origin.

Shadow Chancellor of great Britain John McDonnell called for a hit on the wallet of the Russian elite in response to the poisoning Skripal. The leader of the liberal Democrats Vince cable, in turn, said that London should immediately freeze the assets of Russian businessmen and politicians, if they do not provide a comprehensive explanation of the origin of their capital.

The Guardian notes that Russian businessmen associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, own property in London worth £1.1 billion, this amount may be understated due to the use of the Russians offshore schemes. The newspaper writes that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, in 2014, bought in London two flats cost £11.4 million, though in his Declaration in 2014, he pointed out, only £112 thousand of income.

According to The Guardian, real estate in Central London is also owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, Alisher Usmanov, Andrei Guriev and Andrei Goncharenko.

4 March 2018 66-year-old Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia was hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning in British Salisbury. The hospital also got COP Nick Bailey. All three are still in serious condition.

The investigation revealed that during the attack was used that was developed in Russia, a nerve agent, Novichok. Prime Minister Theresa may has demanded from the Kremlin to explain what had happened until the evening of March 13, otherwise London would take an incident of unlawful use of force by Russia against great Britain.

The UK position was supported by the government of France, USA, Germany and Australia.

Moscow has refused to answer the ultimatum of London, and demanded to give her samples of the substance that poisoned Skrobala.

March 14, the British authorities announced the expulsion of Russian diplomats 23, and the suspension of the planned bilateral contacts with Russia.

March 17, Russia declared a persona non grata 23 British diplomats.