Two daughters of a Russian oligarch once considered part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle have lost their court appeal to be removed from Canada's sanctions list, a punishment in response to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Background of the Sanctions
In May 2022, Laura Fridman, about 32, and Katia Fridman, about 29, were added to the sanctions list along with their mother, Olga Ayziman. They were sanctioned not for their own actions but solely for being family members of Mikhail Fridman, a billionaire Russian oligarch branded by the Canadian government as a top financier and associate of Putin.
The sisters argued in court that they are unfairly caught in the crossfire of international outrage over Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a war they claim not to support. They are the eldest of four children of Mikhail Maratovich Fridman, 62, once ranked the second-richest man in Russia. His estimated net worth was $12.8 billion, according to court documents.
The Legal Battle
Mikhail Fridman was placed on Canada's sanctions list two months after the invasion. A month later, his daughters and ex-wife were added. Ayziman was later removed, likely because she separated from Fridman in 1999 and divorced in 2005. However, Ottawa refused to remove the daughters, leading them to challenge the decision in Federal Court in 2023. The court ruled the decision was reasonable, prompting an appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal.
The sisters argued that Canada should restrict its interpretation of family member to relatives with a sufficient link to Russia or Putin, or complicity in Russia's actions. They claimed no such link and said there was no evidence they assisted or would assist their father in evading sanctions.
Opposition to War and Secrecy
As part of their delisting request, the sisters declared opposition to Russia's invasion but sought a confidentiality order to keep that stance secret. The court denied the request. The sanctions prohibit anyone in Canada or Canadians abroad from engaging in economic activities with those listed.
The case highlights the challenges faced by family members of sanctioned individuals who argue they are unfairly targeted. The daughters maintain they have no influence over their father's actions and should not be punished for his alleged ties to the Kremlin.
