Russian billionaire, originally from Moldova, does not escape the trial in London
In mid-December 2022, Boris Mints’ lawyers tried to block the lawsuit, arguing that banks now controlled by the Central Bank of Russia, Otkritie and Trust, one of which is under sanctions, cannot claim damages.
These funds can be sent directly to the Russian government, the businessman explained, respectively they fall under the sanctions. At a hearing in December 2022, Judge Sara Cockerill was told by lawyers for the Mints family that any money recovered could be used to “indirectly fund the war in Ukraine”.
However, on Friday, January 27, Judge Sara Cockerill dismissed Boris Mints’ petition. The British court gave the businessman’s families, as well as the Russian banks, the opportunity to appeal its decision.
“This is clearly a case with much wider implications,” Judge Sara Cockerill said.
Boris Mints’ motion to stay the court cases (the motion will now be considered by the Court of Appeal) is the first case of a “legal review of the British sanctions regime against Russia,” it says. Reuters.