A UK judge has scheduled a 10-day trial for January 2028 in the case against mega-gallery Hauser & Wirth and liquidated shipping firm Artay Rauchwerger Solomons over alleged violations of UK sanctions against Russia. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) charged the gallery with making George Condo's 2021 work on paper, *Escape from Humanity*, available in 2022 to a person connected to Russia. The next hearing is set for May 5, 2026, for arraignment. Hauser & Wirth has stated it strongly contests the charge and intends to plead not guilty, while the shipping company went into voluntary liquidation in April 2024.
This case marks the first known corporate prosecution under the UK's Russia Sanctions Regulations and the first criminal case linked to the ban on supplying luxury goods to Russian-connected individuals. It underscores growing regulatory scrutiny of the UK art market, which has faced new anti-money laundering and sanctions reporting requirements since 2021. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how galleries and auction houses handle transactions involving sanctioned entities, with potential fines and prison time for breaches.