Hauser & Wirth has been cleared of breaching Russian sanctions with the sale of an artwork by George Condo, in the first court case brought under the UK’s luxury goods ban.
The ban, introduced under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, prohibits the export, supply or delivery of specified high-value items to Russia or to individuals connected with Russia.
In November 2025, the gallery and shipping company Artay Rauchwerger Solomons were charged by HM Revenue and Customs, via the Crown Prosecution Service, for allegedly breaching these regulations.
On 9 July 2026, a judge at London’s Southwark Crown Court dismissed both criminal charges, ruling that prosecutors had not provided sufficient evidence that the recipient of the artwork was connected with Russia at the time of the transaction.
While Hauser & Wirth was cleared, the case shows that sanctions investigations can still cause reputational damage even where no legal penalties are imposed and reinforces why art market participants need a documented, risk-based approach to compliance.
Further reading
- Hauser & Wirth’s possible Luxury Goods Ban breach highlights the significance of the phrase “connected with Russia” in UK law – https://www.artaml.com/hauser-wirths-possible-luxury-goods-ban-breach-highlights-the-significance-of-the-phrase-connected-with-russia-in-uk-law/
- What is the Luxury Goods Ban, and what does it mean for the art market, including your business? https://knowledgebase.artaml.com/what-is-the-luxury-goods-ban
- Russia sanctions: statutory guidance – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance/russia-sanctions-guidance
- The Art Newspaper‘s report: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/09/hauser-wirth-cleared-of-russian-sanction-charges
- Artnet News‘s report: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/hauser-wirth-cleared-of-russia-sanctions-charge-2786973
- Courts and Tribunal Judiciary‘s Judgement: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-09-HAUSER-WIRTH-GALLERY-LTD-Anor-APPROVED-Judgment.pdf