Russian oil giant YUKOS says that it is unable to meet a midnight deadline to pay a $3.4 billion back-tax bill
Published:
8 July 2004 y., Thursday
Russian oil giant YUKOS says that it is unable to meet a midnight deadline to pay a $3.4 billion back-tax bill and says bailiffs could begin taking control of its assets within hours.
A YUKOS official made the admission on Wednesday hours before the deadline at the close of a day dominated by reports the
company was in last-minute talks to stave off bankruptcy. Its detained chief shareholder, billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was
said by his lawyer to be ready to give up control of the firm.
"We are not in a position to pay and we have not paid," the official told Reuters.
"This means bailiffs could start writing off funds from our accounts from Thursday and begin evaluating our assets to offer them
at tenders or in direct purchase deals."
The affair is widely seen as being driven by President Vladimir Putin in a resolve to end Khodorkovsky's political ambitions and
demonstrate to other wealthy businessmen that they should not work against the Kremlin.
Khodorkovsky's trial on fraud and tax evasion resumes next Monday. He has been in jail since last October.
Putin has pledged not to destroy YUKOS but gave no comment on Wednesday, appearing at a news conference with Bulgaria's
president but leaving before anyone could ask about the affair.
Šaltinis:
swissinfo.org
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
New legislation for pan-European supervision of credit rating agencies and a public debate on how financial institutions are managed.
more »
On 2 June in Vilnius, Lithuania‘s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė and Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization Rufus H. Yerxa discussed the main issues on the international trade policy agenda, Russia‘s WTO accession and the changing role of China in the world economy.
more »
2157 former construction workers in Spain and 598 ex-employees at the Irish crystal glass company Waterford Crystal with suppliers could get €11 million in EU globalisation adjustment fund aid for training, self-employment and professional orientation under plans approved by the Budgets Committee on Wednesday.
more »
Companies from the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain have won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment.
more »
The planned overhaul of EU fisheries policy should devolve more powers to regions, protect small coastal fleets and boost aquaculture, said MEPs and members of national parliaments on Tuesday.
more »
The first in a series of loan agreements for energy efficiency investments in multi-apartment buildings was signed today between the European Investment Bank (EIB), as manager of the JESSICA holding fund in Lithuania, and Šiaulių bankas.
more »
Despite the current economic crisis and tensions in the euro, Estonia is set to adopt the single currency in January.
more »
Commission proposes a bank tax to cover the costs of winding down banks that go bust.
more »
The European Investment Bank will provide a total of EUR 400 million to Hellenic Petroleum SA in order to increase the production of cleaner fuels via the upgrading of the Elefsina refinery.
more »
European ministers meet on Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels at the final Competitiveness Council to be held during the six months of the Spanish Presidency, which has an agenda laden with important issues such as the electric vehicle, the European patent system and national R+D investment goals.
more »