26 Nov 2009 19:25

Firtash company sues over expropriation of 11 bcm of gas

KYIV. Nov 26 (Interfax) - Centragas Beteiligungs Holding AG (Austria), a company controlled by Ukrainian tycoon Dmitry Firtash, has notified the Ukrainian government he is suing over the expropriation of 11 billion cubic meters of gas in January 2009 from Switzerland-registered RosUkrEnergo (RUE) by Ukrainian national oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy.

"Centragas has held consultations on the issue with international lawyers that confirm that Centragas, which owns 50% of RUE has a legal basis for suing in accordance with the terms of the Energy Charter, and that the suit may be made directly against the Ukrainian government as the 100% owner of Naftogaz," the Austrian company said in a statement.