Swiss-based megagallery Hauser & Wirth was cleared on Thursday of charges of violating Russia sanctions by selling an artwork by George Condo to Alexander Popov, a person connected with Russia. Judge Tony Baumgardner dismissed the criminal charges, saying prosecutors had not proven that Popov was a Russian resident at the time of the sale, reports the Independent.
His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) had charged the Swiss-based megagallery, which has 17 locations around the globe, including two in the UK, in November 2025.
The gallery had reportedly sold Popov a Condo work on paper, Escape from Humanity (2021), in 2022. Also charged was Marylebone-based art shipping company Artay Rauchwerger Solomons. HMRC’s action against Hauser & Wirth is believed to be the first such accusation brought under the law.
Hauser & Wirth’s legal representative argued that delivery company DHL wrongly entered an address in Moscow rather than in Armenia, notes the Independent, adding that Popov had never been sanctioned, that he had “distanced himself” from the regime of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and that he had renounced his Russian citizenship and acquired properties in Bosnia and Armenia. Prosecutors noted that Popov and his wife had been described as “collectors based in Russia.”
“Although the artwork was made available to Mr Popov, I have found the prosecution couldn’t prove he was a person connected with Russia,” said Baumgardner. “That failure is fatal to all counts.”
George Condo, in his studio.
Courtesy Hauser and Wirth.
“We are delighted that the court has dismissed the case against our UK gallery in its entirety,” said the gallery in a statement emailed to ARTnews. “From the outset, we strongly contested these proceedings and denied any wrongdoing. We continue to be fully committed to complying with all our legal obligations including with respect to sanctions. We are pleased that this matter is now closed.”
Condo rejoined the gallery yesterday, less than a year after leaving its 111-strong artist roster for Skarstedt, resuming a relationship that dates back to 2019. The gallery announced exhibitions of new and historical works by Condo at its Paris and Palo Alto galleries in 2027. He will also maintain a longstanding relationship with international gallery Sprüth Magers.
The UK put in place a slate of sanctions against Russia in March 2022, including a ban on exports of luxury goods such as luxury vehicles, high-end fashion and artworks worth over £250 ($335) to Russia, or for use in Russia. The country also put in place steep import tariffs on items like vodka, artwork and antiques. The government said the ban was meant to “make sure oligarchs and other members of the elite… are deprived of access to luxury goods,” as NPR reported at the time.
That initiative came shortly after the UK announced sanctions on seven of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs, including some with significant art collections, such as Roman Abramovich and Oleg Deripaska.
