Overview
- Prosecutors allege the gallery made a work of art available to a person connected with Russia between April 14 and December 31, 2022, in violation of the luxury-goods ban.
- The case was heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and was adjourned to a pre-trial hearing at Southwark Crown Court on December 16.
- HMRC led the investigation, and Hauser & Wirth says it will strongly contest the allegation and intends to plead not guilty.
- Prosecutors did not name the alleged recipient, though The Times reported him as Moscow-based collector Alexander Popov, and identified the painting as George Condo’s Escape from Humanity.
- Artay Rauchwerger Solomons Ltd (formerly Art Logistics) faces the same charge over August–December 2022 and is in voluntary liquidation, and prosecutors said the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine.