Who’s who: Farkhad Akhmedov and Tatiana Akhmedova met in 1989 when she was studying in Moscow. Tatiana was the daughter of a General in the Russian Air Force. They married in July 1993 in Moscow when Tatiana was pregnant with their elder son.
Farkhad worked in London as an oil and gas trader and often travelled, most frequently in Russia. His business interests in the energy sector in Russia grew successful.
Married Life: Tatiana was a housewife and mother throughout her marriage. She was a hands-on mother, and cared for and brought up her children herself in Surrey without the assistance of a nanny.
Children: In addition to raising her two boys, she also helped to care for a child from Farkhad’s first marriage, who came over from Russia to live and go to school in England. The boys were educated in various private day schools in Surrey and went to university in England. Both children are British citizens.
Home: The family’s base was always in England and Farkhad would return there to be with his family within the time permitted by the Inland Revenue for non-resident taxpayers. Tatiana still lives in the former matrimonial home in Surrey, which was transferred by Farkhad into her sole name in 2013. She was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK in 1994 and became a British citizen in October 2000.
Faith: From May 2018, press reports began to emphasise that Farkhad is a devout and practicing Muslim, coinciding with efforts to move the jurisdiction of proceedings in Dubai into local, Sharia courts. In the same period, Farkhad’s Wikipedia page also introduced references to his faith and his close relations with Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Sheikh ul-Islam and Grand Mufti of the Caucasus. In an interview, Tatiana queried this claim acknowledging that she had ‘never seen her ex-husband kneeling on a prayer rug or going to a mosque, other than at a tourist site.’
Divorce: The marriage lasted over 20 years from 1993 to October 2013 when Tatiana issued her petition; and the marriage only finally came to an end, after one final attempt at reconciliation, in late 2014. In 2006, after a period of instability within the marriage, Tatiana filed a divorce petition. However, there was a reconciliation and Farkhad’s solicitors signed a consent application to dismiss Tatiana’s divorce petition which recorded “the parties having been reconciled.” No other divorce proceedings have been recognised.
Mr Akhmedov’s known entities
Avenger Assets Corporation
- The Seventh Respondent in the proceedings and a company incorporated in Panama
- Legally and / or beneficially owned by Farkhad
- Found by Haddon Cave J to be Farkhad’s nominee, which he used to hold the Yacht for his benefit and at his direction
Cotor Investment SA
- Third Respondent in the proceedings and a company incorporated in Panama
- Found by Haddon Cave J to be Farkhad’s nominee, which he used to hold the Monetary Assets for his benefit and at his direction
Qubo 1 Establishment
- The Fourth Respondent in the proceedings and an establishment formed under Liechtenstein law which owns the Modern Artwork
- Owned by Counselor in its capacity as trustee of the Simul Trust (which holds the founder’s rights)
- Sole director is WalPart
Qubo 2 Establishment
- The Fifth Respondent in the proceedings and an establishment formed under Liechtenstein law which previously owned the Yacht (prior to the transfer of the Yacht to Straight)
- Owned by Counselor in its capacity as trustee of the Simul Trust
- Sole director is WalPart
Woodblade Limited
- The Second Respondent in the proceedings and a company registered in the Republic of Cyprus
- Owned by the First Temple Trust Company Limited in its capacity as a trustee for the ‘FASP Trust’
- Trustee of a Bermuda law trust known as the Akhmedov 2013 Discretionary Trust
- Sole director is Farkhad Akhmedov.