In Amsterdam, a group of squatters who had occupied the former residence of Arkady Volozh, the former head of Yandex, departed from the property after about a year and a half. The move followed the recent lifting of sanctions against the businessman by the European Union. This sequence of events was reported by NL Times.
The lawyer representing the entrepreneur, John Wolfs, stated to the publication that the squatters themselves handed over the keys and left the building. Wolfs indicated that Volozh welcomed the end of this dispute, suggesting there is a possibility he might reside in the city again in the future.
The EU’s decision to lift sanctions against Volozh on March 13, roughly two weeks prior to the squatters leaving, was cited as a factor in the advisers’ recommendations for the occupants to vacate. As of the report, Wolfs could not confirm the current condition of the residence or provide a detailed assessment of interior damage. He also noted that he had not yet arranged a visit to inspect the inside of the property.
Legal commentators consulted by the publication suggested that Volozh could seek compensation for any damages or losses related to the occupation if evidence supports such claims. The building at issue is located in the Vondelpark district of Amsterdam, where the squat occurred in October 2022, shortly after the sanctions were imposed against Volozh.
Attempts by Volozh’s legal team to challenge the eviction decision involved court proceedings. However, the court ruling indicated that enforcing eviction in this case could lead to an unjustified interruption of use by the owner, complicating the resolution for a business owner seeking to regain control of the property. The episode underscored tensions around property rights, sanctions, and civil actions in the region.
In the broader context, authorities and legal observers have continued to discuss the implications of sanctions and their removal on property rights and commercial interests. Reports note that the reasons for the sanctions being lifted by the European Union were addressed through the appropriate legal channels, with officials outlining the conditions that led to the change in status for Volozh. The situation at the Amsterdam residence remains a focal point for discussions on how sanctions interact with real estate and corporate governance across Europe.