On Wednesday, the 10th of April, the Court of Justice of the European Union satisfied the plea from Russian billionaires Mikhail Fridman and Petr Aven and lifted the EU sanctions that were imposed on them on the 28th of February 2022.
As mentioned in the statement, the court satisfied the requests of Aven and Fridman and revoked both the original acts and the acts on retention in the sanctions lists during the period from the 28th of February, 2022 to the 15th of March, 2023.
The court considers that none of the grounds contained in the original legislation on their exposure to sanctions was sufficiently justified, and that the inclusion of Aven and Fridman in the lists of persons subject to sanctions is therefore not justified. In regards to their retention in sanction lists, Court of Justice of the EU concluded that the Council of Europe failed to provide any additional evidence when compared to the evidence that was used as a foundation at the beginning.
Aven and Fridman are shareholders of Alfa Group. This group also includes one of the biggest banks in Russia – Alfa Bank.
The court of justice believes that although the arguments from the Council of Europe can prove ties between Aven and Fridman to Vladimir Putin or his associates, they do not prove the two billionaires support his decisions or policy that attack and put in danger Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The arguments from the Council of Europe also cannot prove the two have provided any kind of material or financial support to Russian officials responsible for the annexation of Crimea.
Aven and Fridman are under sanctions from the US, UK, EU and other countries. These countries believe these two men are associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin and serve the Kremllin’s interests and Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine, too, has imposed sanctions against Fridman and Aven.
Aven also holds Latvian citizenship. He and his family moved to Latvia after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Aven has made numerous attempts to get his sanctions lifted in different levels of EU courts. Fridman, who is also an Israeli citizen, continues to live in Russia.
Information from the website of the Court of Justice of the EU shows that Aven and Fridman both requested sanctions to be lifted because they believe the Council of Europe had committed significant procedural violations and has not proven their ties and activity in economic sectors that bring significant revenue for the Russian government.
Attorney Jānis Kārkliņš, who provides legal aid to Aven in Latvia and the EU, previously told LETA that the Council of EU failed to prove any of its claims about Aven allegedly providing any kind of tangible support that could put at risk Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence. The Council of EU also provided no evidence of Aven providing any support to Russian decision-makers responsible for destabilising Ukraine.
According to Kārkliņš, it should be noted that two years have passed since March 2022 and the sanctioned person has not only condemned the war, but has also disposed of assets in Russia and severed ties with this country.
LETA previously reported that after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, public discussions commenced about whether or not Aven should be allowed to keep his Latvian citizenship.
Also read: Latvian ex-PM’s private flights estimated to have incurred EUR 545 000 in unjustifiable expenses
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