Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Russian Accounts Frozen in France


"Russian state bank accounts held in France have been frozen following pressure from a Swiss firm that is suing Russia for unpaid debts.

Russia's VTB Bank said several accounts held at its French arm had been frozen in line with a court ruling in Paris.

The accounts reportedly belong to the Russian finance ministry, arms firm Rosoboronexport, the Russian Central Bank and the RIA Novosti news agency.

The Swiss firm Noga has long been battling to seize Russian state assets."

In 2001, this Su-30 jet was almost seized in an air show because of Russia's debt.

The Russian government is not happy about their frozen accounts in France and the lawsuit in Switzerland.
Russia's finance ministry says it will appeal against the French court's ruling
and will seek compensation for the freezing of the accounts.

Here is another article about this.
The Russian frozen accounts had close ties to the Russian government and it is possible that up to 73 million dollars could now be inaccessible. This has infuriated and sent Moscow into an uproar.


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