Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov sued Russia for destroying enterprises in Donbas

Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov has filed a lawsuit against Russia with the European Court of Human Rights. The oligarch requests urgent measures and compensation for Russia's blockading, looting, destruction, and diversion of grain and metals,  says  the press service of SCM, which belongs to Akhmetov.

The press service notes that Russian artillery shelling of Azovstal iron and steel works in Mariupol "was seeking to eliminate the last vestiges of Ukrainian resistance in that city." This lawsuit is Akhmetov's way of ensuring that Russia is held accountable for the destruction in Ukraine.

The oligarch also filed a lawsuit regarding interim measures seeking to prevent Russia from engaging in further blockading, looting, diversion, and destruction of grain and steel produced by SCM's companies.

Akhmetov asks the Court to send a clear message to Russia that its contributions to the food security crisis and further damage to the Ukrainian economy are unacceptable.

The Ukrainian oligarch also asked the Court to give the case a priority status. He also requested to apply a pilot procedure to the case, as the root cause of Akhmetov's rights violations — Russian aggression, destruction, and expropriation of property — has similarly devastating consequences for business owners across Ukraine.

"Evil cannot go unpunished. With the help of the best Ukrainian and American lawyers, I have lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights for damages. This lawsuit is one of the first international legal steps against Russia," said Rinat Akhmetov.

Akhmetov is seeking compensation from Russia for violating property rights. The SCM adds that the precise amount cannot yet be assessed given the ongoing war, but it is anticipated that Akhmetov is due billions of dollars from Russia.