A prestigious London art gallery connected to Princess Eugenie is facing criminal prosecution over allegations it sold a valuable painting to a Russian art collector, breaching sanctions imposed after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
The Alleged Sanctions Breach
Hauser & Wirth, which operates a gallery in Mayfair, is accused of making a 'luxury good' available to 'a person connected with Russia'. The specific artwork in question is 'Escape from Humanity' by renowned American artist George Condo.
Prosecutors allege the supply occurred sometime between 14 April and 31 December 2022. This timeline is significant, as it falls up to ten months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and several months after the UK's Department for International Trade banned the export of luxury goods valued over £250 to Russia.
An art transportation firm, Artay Rauchwerger Solomons Ltd (formerly known as Art Logistics Ltd), is facing the same charge for its alleged involvement on a date between 10 August and 31 December 2022. Public records indicate the firm entered voluntary liquidation at the end of last year.
Royal Connections and Legal Proceedings
The case brings a spotlight onto Princess Eugenie, who is described as a 'director' of Hauser & Wirth on her Instagram profile and has been listed as such on the gallery's website. The princess, who is not a working royal, has been involved with the gallery since 2015.
It is crucial to note, however, that she does not sit on the company's London board, and there is no suggestion she was involved in the alleged transaction with the individual connected to Russia. This development comes just weeks after her father, Prince Andrew, was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
The case had its first hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. No pleas were entered, and the proceedings have been adjourned for a pre-trial hearing at Southwark Crown Court scheduled for 16 December.
The Investigation and Gallery's Response
The prosecution follows an investigation by HMRC. A spokesperson for the tax and customs authority confirmed to the Mail that it had led an investigation into an alleged breach of sanctions.
While court documents did not name the Russian-connected individual, The Times has identified him as Alexander Popov, a Russian art collector who runs the Popov Foundation in Moscow with his wife, Evgeniya Popova. Their gallery reportedly displays works by Western artists like Andy Warhol.
In a firm statement, a spokesperson for Hauser & Wirth said: 'Our UK Gallery has been charged with one instance of making an item of artwork available to a non-sanctioned person connected with Russia. We are fully committed to complying with all our legal obligations including sanctions. We strongly contest this charge and intend to plead not guilty.'
The regulations, introduced in April 2022, make supplying luxury goods to Russia a criminal offence. Anyone found guilty of breaching these sanctions faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison and an unlimited fine.
