Russian ministry seeks to suspend corporate rights of Dutch owner of tobacco distributor Megapolis in court

MOSCOW. July 19 (Interfax) - Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry filed a lawsuit against Megapolis Distribution B.V., the Dutch owner of Russian tobacco distributor Megapolis Group, in the Arbitration Court of Moscow Region on July 18, court records showed.

The Russian company was earlier included in Russia's list of economically significant organizations.

The court has agreed to hear the lawsuit and the first hearing is scheduled for August 8. According to the case file, the ministry is seeking to suspend the corporate rights of Megapolis Distribution B.V. in the Russian subsidiary.

The Industry Ministry by law acts as the plaintiff in cases to suspend the corporate rights of foreign shareholders of companies on the list of economically significant organizations that it oversees. In terms of jurisdiction, such lawsuits are considered by the Arbitration Court of Moscow Region.