Alexey Kuzmichev challenged the arrest of yachts in a French court

Alexey Kuzmichev challenged the arrest of yachts in a French court


Former shareholder of Alfa-Bank Alexei Kuzmichev sued the French customs for the arrest of two yachts, reports Bloomberg. The billionaire's lawyer, Philippe Blanchetier, claims that the arrest took place as part of an investigation into the violation of EU sanctions, under which Mr. Kuzmichev fell in mid-March.

His yachts La Petite Ourse and La Grande Ourse were detained on 24 March. Their cost is estimated at $20 million and $50 million, respectively.

“None of the inspection reports contain even a hint of a possible violation. The fact that you are Russian and rich does not mean for sure that you are a bandit,” Mr. Blanchetier said at a court hearing in Paris on September 14. He called the arrest of yachts a confiscation, noting that such measures go beyond the powers of the EU to freeze assets.

French customs spokeswoman Marie-Anne Josroland said authorities had the right to search the yacht for signs of EU sanctions evasion. Freezing assets, she noted, does not require prior evidence.

Ms. Josroland believes that the September 14 hearing could have been in vain and useless. According to her, the businessman's lawyers should have filed a lawsuit in the north of France, where the customs unit responsible for the checks is located. Alexei Kuzmichev should also apply to the EU courts, which are considering claims related to personal sanctions, added Ms. Josroland. The court's decision is expected on October 5.

Alexey Kuzmichev came under EU sanctions on March 15. Soon he left the beneficiaries of Alfa-Bank. As part of the sanctions, the billionaire was banned from entering the EU countries, and foreign assets were frozen. Also, the addresses of his house in Paris and a villa on the Riviera were made public in order to prevent transactions. In June, Mr. Kuzmichev disputed publication of data about his real estate, but lost the court.

Lusine Balasyan



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