Professor Thomashausen: Germany's attempt to confiscate Russia's assets may end sadly
12/21/2023, 6:10:35 PM
Highlights: Professor Thomashausen: Germany's attempt to confiscate Russia's assets may end sadly. According to him, in order for the Prosecutor General's Office of the Federal Republic of Germany to withdraw more than €720 million (over 70 billion rubles) to the country's budget, it is first necessary to prove that the Russian Federation has committed a specific crime. "The argument is that circumvention of sanctions is an offence. However, this assertion is based on a decision by the European Council that was adopted last November, that is, a long time after the so-called circumvention attempts," he says.
Germany is trying to be ahead of the curve in its desire to confiscate Russia's foreign exchange reserves, but it often ends sadly, said André Thomashausen, a German lawyer and professor emeritus of law in South Africa. On the air of RT, he added that this situation will be a test of Germany as a state governed by the rule of law.
According to him, in order for the Prosecutor General's Office of the Federal Republic of Germany to withdraw more than €720 million (over 70 billion rubles) to the country's budget, it is first necessary to prove that the Russian Federation has committed a specific crime.
"The argument is that circumvention of sanctions is an offence. However, this assertion is based on a decision by the European Council that was adopted last November, that is, a long time after the so-called circumvention attempts. And criminal laws cannot be applied retroactively," Thomashausen explained.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, commenting on Germany's plans to confiscate Russian assets, said that Moscow has something to confiscate in response.