As the EU activated the ninth package of sanctions against Russia on Friday, more and more Russian and Belarusian oligarchs and entrepreneurs are rising up against what they see as disproportionate sanctions. According to reports, 61 lawsuits from sanctioned individuals and companies are currently pending before the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
In the ninth package, EU countries occupied another 141 people and 49 institutions with asset freezes and entry bans. Among them are several deputy prime ministers, ministers and companies from the defense and automotive industries. However, punitive measures against Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov were not imposed under pressure from Hungary. The country is highly dependent on energy supplies from Russia.
The allegations against those affected include being responsible for actions or policies that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU had previously sanctioned more than 1,200 individuals and 118 organisations.
Export ban on drone engines
In addition, trade and financial sanctions are included in the ninth package of EU sanctions related to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Three other Russian banks, among others, are subject to sanctions – including the Russian Bank for Regional Development, which is no longer allowed to conduct transactions in or through the EU. The EU also prohibits the export of drone engines to Russia and countries such as Iran if it is suspected that the engines will later end up in Russia. EU investments in Russian mining will also be banned in the future, with the exception of certain raw materials. Due to the accusation of war propaganda, the Russian media NTV/NTV Mir, Rossiya 1, REN TV and the Pervyi channel are no longer allowed to broadcast for all distribution channels.
Many people mistakenly see themselves on the sanctions list and have filed lawsuits in Luxembourg on Saturday, according to a report by ‘Bild’. According to the information, the plaintiffs are defending the charges of politically or financially supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war against Ukraine. They also accuse the EU of interfering disproportionately with their fundamental rights and property by freezing assets and prohibiting access.
Oligarch: ‘One million euros in compensation for immaterial damage’
According to court documents, the list of plaintiffs in Luxembourg also includes oligarchs known in the West, including the ex-owner of English football club Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, and Mikhail Fridman, founder and manager of major financial group Alfa-Group. Abramovich – like Gennady Timtschenko, a close friend of Putin who lives in Switzerland – is demanding one million euros “as compensation for the immaterial damage”. In the event of an EU conviction, the amount will go to a charity set up as part of the sale of Chelsea FC to benefit war victims.
Source: Krone
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