Gleb Savchenko Loses Custody Bid for Daughter After Hong Kong Ruling

Savchenko’s legal challenge centered on claims that Olivia faced a grave risk of psychological distress while living abroad. In court filings, he alleged that Samodanova pressured their daughter to use weight-loss medication and subjected her to verbal abuse regarding her appearance. He further claimed the teenager suffered from depression and had turned to substance use as a coping mechanism.

Samodanova countered these accusations by filing a petition under the Hague Convention, arguing that Savchenko was guilty of wrongful retention. She presented evidence—including text messages and a selfie of a crying Olivia—suggesting the dancer had manipulated the teenager into making false statements. She maintained that Savchenko threatened to cut off financial support if Olivia did not align with his narrative.

During the September 15 hearing, the court bypassed the specific allegations of abuse to focus on the child’s habitual residence. Determining that home for Olivia is Hong Kong, the judge ordered her return to her mother and directed the parents to pursue mediation through Family Court Services. This ruling follows a history of public tension between the pair, including prior disputes over child support and the 2020 collapse of their marriage amid allegations of infidelity.