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Unexplained Wealth Order focuses on London mansion | Unexplained Wealth Order focuses on London mansion |
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A high-security mansion on one of London's most exclusive roads is the target of the UK's latest use of Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs). | A high-security mansion on one of London's most exclusive roads is the target of the UK's latest use of Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs). |
The property, owned by companies based in tax havens, has been frozen, meaning it cannot be sold or disposed of, ahead of a court hearing on Tuesday. | |
Nurali Aliyev, grandson of Kazakhstan's former so-called president for life, is the occupier of the home, records show. | |
The property is so big it has an underground pool and a cinema. | The property is so big it has an underground pool and a cinema. |
The fate of the property, which cannot be identified for legal reasons, and two others linked to Mr Aliyev's family will be decided in a major court battle that begins at the High Court on Tuesday. | The fate of the property, which cannot be identified for legal reasons, and two others linked to Mr Aliyev's family will be decided in a major court battle that begins at the High Court on Tuesday. |
During the hearing, lawyers for the companies that own the properties will seek to have a National Crime Agency investigation halted. | During the hearing, lawyers for the companies that own the properties will seek to have a National Crime Agency investigation halted. |
UWOs are one of the UK's newest tools in the fight against suspected criminal money invested in property. | UWOs are one of the UK's newest tools in the fight against suspected criminal money invested in property. |
National Crime Agency investigators can use the measure to require owners to disclose how they managed to buy a luxury home. If they do not agree with the explanation, they can then ask the courts to confiscate it. | National Crime Agency investigators can use the measure to require owners to disclose how they managed to buy a luxury home. If they do not agree with the explanation, they can then ask the courts to confiscate it. |
The property is one of three worth more than £80m in total that has been subject to UWOs since last May. | The property is one of three worth more than £80m in total that has been subject to UWOs since last May. |
An investigation by BBC News, Finance Uncovered and Transparency International identified all three properties in a trail of publicly-obtainable documents. | An investigation by BBC News, Finance Uncovered and Transparency International identified all three properties in a trail of publicly-obtainable documents. |
Those show that the High Court ordered the property to be frozen to prevent it being sold by the two companies that own it: Manrick Private Foundation, incorporated in Curacao, and Alderton Investments Ltd, incorporated in Anguilla. | Those show that the High Court ordered the property to be frozen to prevent it being sold by the two companies that own it: Manrick Private Foundation, incorporated in Curacao, and Alderton Investments Ltd, incorporated in Anguilla. |
The companies have owned the mansion since 2014. A related publicly accessible mortgage document shows that the occupiers of the property are Nurali and Aida Aliyev. | The companies have owned the mansion since 2014. A related publicly accessible mortgage document shows that the occupiers of the property are Nurali and Aida Aliyev. |
Mr Aliyev describes himself on his LinkedIn account as a tech entrepreneur and investor from Kazakhstan. | Mr Aliyev describes himself on his LinkedIn account as a tech entrepreneur and investor from Kazakhstan. |
His grandfather, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was president of the oil- and gas-rich nation for three decades, until he stood down last year. In 2010, he was granted a special status which made him permanent leader if he wanted to remain in power - and critics say his administration was marred by corruption and human rights abuses. | His grandfather, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was president of the oil- and gas-rich nation for three decades, until he stood down last year. In 2010, he was granted a special status which made him permanent leader if he wanted to remain in power - and critics say his administration was marred by corruption and human rights abuses. |
Mr Aliyev's mother, Dariga Nazarbayeva, is the former president's daughter and current chair of Kazakhstan's senate. | Mr Aliyev's mother, Dariga Nazarbayeva, is the former president's daughter and current chair of Kazakhstan's senate. |
His father, Rakhat, was a senior member of the Nazarbayev government who became an opponent of the president. | His father, Rakhat, was a senior member of the Nazarbayev government who became an opponent of the president. |
In 2015 Rakhat Aliyev was found dead in an Austrian prison cell. He had apparently killed himself while awaiting trial for the alleged murder of two bankers in Kazakhstan. | In 2015 Rakhat Aliyev was found dead in an Austrian prison cell. He had apparently killed himself while awaiting trial for the alleged murder of two bankers in Kazakhstan. |
Daniel Bruce of Transparency International UK, said: "It is encouraging to see these powers being used. | Daniel Bruce of Transparency International UK, said: "It is encouraging to see these powers being used. |
"This landmark case should give government confidence that unexplained wealth orders are making a real difference in building Britain's reputation as a safe and clean place to do business." | "This landmark case should give government confidence that unexplained wealth orders are making a real difference in building Britain's reputation as a safe and clean place to do business." |
The BBC has contacted lawyers for the owners of the properties and Mr and Mrs Aliyev. They have not commented publicly ahead of Tuesday's hearing. | The BBC has contacted lawyers for the owners of the properties and Mr and Mrs Aliyev. They have not commented publicly ahead of Tuesday's hearing. |