BRUSSELS, April 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The General Court of the European Union has annulled this Wednesday the European sanctions against the Russian businessman Mikhail Fridman, former owner of the Dia supermarkets through his investment vehicle LetterOne, understanding that the measures were not sufficiently justified.
European Justice hears the appeals of Fridman and fellow businessman Petr Aven against their inclusion on the European ‘blacklist’ due to the relationship between Alfa Group, a conglomerate that includes Alfa Bank, one of the main banks in Russia, with the invasion. Russian from Ukraine.
Both argued that the sanctions were not based on “reliable or credible” evidence and that the assessments of the EU Council were erroneous to apply sanctions for the Russian attack on the neighboring country.
The Luxembourg-based court declares that none of the reasons listed in the sanctions against Aven and Fridman are sufficiently proven, nor did the 27 provide additional evidence to justify the renewal of the sanctions. That is why it annuls both the initial sanctions and the acts of renewal of the restrictive measures.
In the opinion of the General Court, the EU has pointed out a certain proximity of both magnates with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, or his entourage, but it is not proven that they have supported or sponsored Russia’s military campaign against territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. from Ukraine.
