Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich moves to Israel and becomes its richest citizen

Russian-Jewish billionaire Roman Abramovich, owner of London’s Chelsea soccer club, has immigrated to Israel, the Interior Ministry confirmed on Monday.

Abramovich, 51, landed in Ben Gurion International Airport earlier in the day, the ministry said, and received an Israeli identity card under the Law of Return, which allows Jews to become citizens of Israel.


The move to Israel comes after Abramovich was unable to extend his visa in the UK amid a diplomatic spat between London and Moscow, as Times of Israel reports.