VOLGA-DNEPR Airlines has filed a lawsuit against the canadian government over the seizure of one of its Antonov AN-124 freighter aircraft, reports London's Air Cargo New.
The move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Russian airline after its AN-124 was stranded at Toronto Pearson Airport last year following Russia s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war between the two countries.
The aircraft was this year seized by the Canadian government as part of sanctions taken against Russia.
Now, Volga-Dnepr Airlines, owned by Moscow-headquartered Volga-Dnepr Group, has asked a federal court to declare that the Canadian government s sanctions are invalid, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
In its lawsuit, Volga-Dnepr said it should not be included in the sanctions as it did not play a role in Russia s invasion of Ukraine or assist Russian private military organization, Wagner Group.
The AN-124, registered as RA-82078, has been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport since February 27 last year, and is suffering from exposure to the elements and receiving no maintenance whatsoever, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit follows a letter from Volga-Dnepr to the Canadian government in August that reportedly threatened legal action over the aircraft dispute.
Two months earlier, the Canadian government ordered the seizure of the 26-year-old AN-124, which had arrived at Toronto Pearson shortly before the government of Canada announced restrictions on Russian aircraft in response to the war.
In June 2022, the Canadian government amended the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act to allow it to seize and re-distribute assets belonging to sanctioned entities and individuals.
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The move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Russian airline after its AN-124 was stranded at Toronto Pearson Airport last year following Russia s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war between the two countries.
The aircraft was this year seized by the Canadian government as part of sanctions taken against Russia.
Now, Volga-Dnepr Airlines, owned by Moscow-headquartered Volga-Dnepr Group, has asked a federal court to declare that the Canadian government s sanctions are invalid, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
In its lawsuit, Volga-Dnepr said it should not be included in the sanctions as it did not play a role in Russia s invasion of Ukraine or assist Russian private military organization, Wagner Group.
The AN-124, registered as RA-82078, has been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport since February 27 last year, and is suffering from exposure to the elements and receiving no maintenance whatsoever, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit follows a letter from Volga-Dnepr to the Canadian government in August that reportedly threatened legal action over the aircraft dispute.
Two months earlier, the Canadian government ordered the seizure of the 26-year-old AN-124, which had arrived at Toronto Pearson shortly before the government of Canada announced restrictions on Russian aircraft in response to the war.
In June 2022, the Canadian government amended the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act to allow it to seize and re-distribute assets belonging to sanctioned entities and individuals.
SeaNews Turkey
