Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the US Justice Department’s seizure of Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeev’s funds as “blatant robbery” and “an outrageous practice of expropriating private funds”. Press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It’s clear to anyone who isn’t ready to obey US guidelines obediently: This is outright robbery for political reasons,” he said.
According to the diplomat, US officials “illegally manipulate” the property of foreign nationals that they do not like – “contrary to the basic principles that guarantee the inviolability of private property.”
He pointed out that Washington did not hide the fact that the case regarding the assets of this Russian businessman was far from the end, and that they plan to continue such “open private funds expropriation practice”.
Zakharova noted that while the United States is committing theft of other people’s property, it also directly supports Ukraine’s terrorist attacks.
“Attempts to hide this shameful fact in a propaganda package, the stories that the assets of a Russian entrepreneur will be used for some kind of “restoration of Ukraine” are nothing but a myth. It is clear that the crumbs will at best reach the “square” budget from stolen assets, and “along the way” the funds will go to the United States and into the pockets of their Kiev puppets,” the diplomat said.
formerly Reuters reportedUS Attorney General Merrick Garland has ordered that funds seized from Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeev be used for Ukraine’s needs.
Before that, the Southern District of New York decided authorized the seizure of $5.4 million from the Sunflower Bank account of a Russian businessman.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in April signed a decree on retaliatory measures in case of seizure of Russian assets abroad.