Euroclear Requests Moscow Arbitration Court to Dismiss Case on Unblocking Investors’ Assets

The depository Euroclear has filed a motion with the Moscow Arbitration Court seeking to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group of private investors demanding the unblocking of their assets. According to Euroclear’s position, the dispute does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Russian court and should be resolved out of court by the competent authorities of Belgium. In addition, the Belgian Ministry of Finance, named as a defendant in the case, is, in Euroclear’s view, entitled to sovereign immunity. 

The claim was accepted by the court in late August. OFAC and the National Settlement Depository (NSD) have been joined to the proceedings as third parties. The plaintiffs are seeking to transfer the frozen assets to a non-sanctioned EU broker — Mind Money. 

Investor representatives view Euroclear’s arguments as an attempt to avoid responsibility and insist that the dispute should be heard under Russian jurisdiction. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 28. 

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