Indulging Kleptocracy and the Battle Against Transnational Enabling

The tale of “Londongrad” is one of the most fascinating stories of the post-Cold War era. Indulging Kleptocracy (Oxford University Press, 2025) reveals how British professionals—lawyers, bankers, real estate agents, and others—have enabled post-communist elites to hide, protect, and legitimise their wealth, helping them gain status and influence in the West. Drawing on years of research and detailed case studies, the authors trace how these professional networks have embedded kleptocratic wealth and influence within London’s financial and political systems, transforming illicit money into power and respectability.

This timely discussion will explore how enablers operate across borders, why existing laws often fail to hold them accountable, and what can be done to prevent corrupt money and influence from taking root in open societies. With growing attention to KYC and AML procedures, transparency, sanctions, and new planned regulations in the UK, the event will consider how the UK and its partners can strengthen their…