Norwegian authorities seize Russian vessel in Svalbard
Translated from Norwegian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
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In the courts
- Police seized the Russian-owned expedition cruise vessel Professor Molchanov in Barentsburg, Svalbard, after a court order requested by Naftogaz.
- Naftogaz says the action forms part of efforts to recover about $4.22 billion, plus interest and costs, from Russia.
- The vessel cannot leave its current position while the legal measure remains in effect.
A Russian expedition cruise ship has been prevented from leaving Barentsburg after Norwegian authorities acted on a request from Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz.
Svalbard police seized the Professor Molchanov under a ruling from the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court dated August 31. Police operations leader Håkon Finstad confirmed that officers had taken the vessel into arrest and secured a legal attachment against it in Barentsburg.
We will continue to pursue Russian assets around the world until the compensation is paid.
Naftogaz says the seizure is part of a worldwide effort to make Russia meet outstanding obligations of about $4.22 billion, in addition to interest and costs. The company has pursued legal action against Russia since 2016, seeking compensation for property confiscated after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
The seizure is another important step toward justice after Russia’s illegal confiscation of the company’s assets in Crimea.
Naftogaz chief executive Sergii Fedorenko said the company would continue pursuing Russian assets around the world until compensation is paid. He described the seizure as another step toward justice after what he called Russia’s illegal confiscation of the company’s assets in Crimea.
The Professor Molchanov is owned by Russia and operates commercial expedition cruises, including voyages to Svalbard. For now, the vessel remains in place and is not allowed to depart.
Svalbard police have received a ruling from the Nord-Troms and Senja District Court to arrest and attach the vessel Professor Molchanov. Svalbard police today arrested the vessel in Barentsburg.
About this summary
Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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