Updated Guidelines on Suspicious Transactions Under U.S. Sanctions
New alert was released jointly by OFAC, BIS and DOJ on March 02, 2023 on suspicions third parties transactions under Ukraine-Russia restrictions. Another list of criteria was introduced that should help to identify and ‘aggressively prosecute’ those who violate U.S. sanctions and export control laws.
Ministry of Finance Published List of Appraisers Recommended for Valuation of Assets to Obtain Permits from the Government Commission
On 22 February 2023 the Ministry of Finance published on its official website a list of appraisers that the Ministry recommends to involve in the valuation of assets to obtain permits from the Government Commission within the framework of Presidential decrees No 79 of 28 February 2022 and No 81 of 01 March 2022. The list includes 42 appraisal organizations recommended for evaluation of business (stocks, shares, units) and real estate, and only real estate.
Legal Digest: Bankruptcy Disputes in Russia - 2nd Half of 2022
Review of the most notable bankruptcy disputes in Russia - 2nd Half of 2022 (in Russian).
From 1 September 2023, Cargo Vehicles Will Be Able to Cross the Border of the Russian Federation Only After Preliminary Reservation
On 17 February 2023, Federal Law No. 24-FZ of 17.02.2023 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” was published, amending the regulation of the movement of freight transport across the Russian border.
According to the new rules, starting from 1 September 2023, the crossing of the state border by cargo vehicles will be carried out through special crossing points after reserving the date and time.
Russian Banks Are Now Responsible for the Frozen Funds On Bank Accounts of Russian Clients
Arbitrazh court for the Moscow City issued a judgement under the claim of a Russian entity to Alfa-Bank JSC. By this decision the court ordered the Russian bank to make a refund of the frozen funds allocated on the accounts of a correspondent bank to its client as well as charged the bank with penalties and interest for the use of its client’s money.
Prolongation of Counter-Measures in Insurance Activity
At the end of 2022 the new Law was adopted, which extended numerous counter-sanctions measures. Among other things it extends the ban on Russian insurers to conclude transactions with number persons until 31 December 2023.
Russian Individual Successfully Appealed Against EU Sanctions Restrictions
On February 6, 2023, the EU official journal published news about delisting Dmitry Ovsyannikov, the former governor of Sevastopol, from the sanctions list. The exclusion was preceded by the decision of the EU court of 26 October 2022 following the review of Ovsyannikov's appeal.
Founder of a Major Russian Pharmaceutical Company Listed as SDN in the UK
On 8 February 2023 Alexey Repik, the founder of R-Pharm – Russian pharmaceutical company, producing, among other things, drugs for COVID-19 (e.g. coronavir (favipiravir) and artlegia (olokizumab)) was listed in the UK Sanctions List.
Reasoning behind this decision is that he holds the position of the Chairman of the Board of R-Pharm, which receives financing from the Russian Direct Investment Fund – a Government of Russia-affiliated entity. Moreover, Alexey Repik is also designated as a person associated with Vladimir Putin, the Russian President.
New Responsibility for Selling Drugs Without Prescription
On January 17, 2023, a bill was submitted to the State Duma for consideration. This bill establishes higher responsibility for the sale of medicines subject to quantitative accounting without a prescription.
The relevant bill has been introduced in order to combat drug addiction, which is nowadays widespread, including among minors, as stipulated in explanatory note to the bill.