Portsmouth owner bailed

Vladimir Antonov, the Russian owner of Portsmouth Football Club and his business partner Raimondos Baranauskas were bailed until 16 December by Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday).    They were arrested at their offices in Bishopgate on Thursday after the issue of a European Arrest Warrant.


They face an extradition request by the Lithuanian authorities in connection with alleged fraud and asset stripping at a Lithuanian bank.   Should they be convicted, the Lithuanian court could impose sentences of up to ten years’ imprisonment.

Vladimir Antonov, the Russian owner of Portsmouth Football Club and his business partner Raimondos Baranauskas were bailed until 16 December by Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday).    They were arrested at their offices in Bishopgate on Thursday after the issue of a European Arrest Warrant.


They face an extradition request by the Lithuanian authorities in connection with alleged fraud and asset stripping at a Lithuanian bank.   Should they be convicted, the Lithuanian court could impose sentences of up to ten years’ imprisonment.


Mr Antonov was ordered to pay a surety of £75,000, surrender his passport and live and sleep at his London home where he lives with his wife and two young children.   He also has to report to nearby Notting Hill police station three times a week.


Mr Antonov is the backer of Convers Sports Initiatives which took over Pompey at June.   The club has insisted that it is ‘business as usual’ this week.  Pompey co-owner Roman Dubov spoke briefly to The Portsmouth News outside the City of Westminster magistrates court, saying: ‘I am trying to save the business and help a lot of people in employment.’  He appeared to be referring to, but did not specifically name, Convers Sports Initiatives.