French authorities have frozen more than 40 properties linked to sanctioned individuals, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Among other things, the villa "Chateau de la Croix" in the French Riviera, where the British King Edward VIII lived after his abdication, was frozen, the newspaper writes. Abramovich purchased the property in 2009. In addition, the French authorities froze other properties associated with Abramovich, including on the island of St. Barth in the Caribbean, which has the status of an overseas community of France, writes WSJ.

Earlier, the Royal Court of Jersey issued a permit (saisie judiciaire) to freeze assets believed to be related to Abramovich. The value of the blocked assets is estimated at more than $ 7 billion. They are located in Jersey or belong to organizations registered on the island.

On March 10, the 55-year-old billionaire came under British sanctions (on March 15, the European Union included the billionaire in its sanctions list). The island of Jersey has its own administration, but is a possession of the British Crown. The island authorities said they would follow the UK sanctions.

Jersey is known for its low taxes and easy regulation. Norma Investments, a British Virgin Islands company that has been associated with Abramovich for many years, is the owner of Jersey-registered MHC Jersey, according to documents. Just a few hours after the start of Russia's "military special operation" in Ukraine, control of Norma Investments passed to one of Abramovich's business partners, David Davidovich, the WSJ reported earlier.

The publication notes that the Chelsea football club, which Abramovich is currently selling, owes £1.4 billion ($1.8 billion) to Camberley International Investment, a company registered in Jersey.