Yukos European Court of Human Rights Complaint
In 2004, following Russia's unlawful expropriation of Yukos, the former managers of the country's largest oil company filed a claim at the European Court of Human Rights ("ECtHR"). The claim relates to tax bills and fines leveled against Yukos by the Russian Federation for the years 2000 to 2003, which ultimately forced the company into bankruptcy. The suit is the largest ever to be considered by the ECtHR involving a corporation.
On January 29, 2009, the ECtHR declared the case admissible for further examination regarding complaints that the tax proceedings were unfair, Yukos was taxed unlawfully and that those tax liabilities had been enforced in a disproportionate way, so that the Company had been singled out for 'disguised' expropriation.
Over a year later, and nearly 6 years after the suit was initially filed, following delays from the Russian-appointed judge, on March 4, 2010 the ECtHR heard arguments on the merits of Yukos's unlawful expropriation claim. The case is currently awaiting judgment.
- Read more about the ECtHR case at The Yukos Library.