Czech Anti-Terrorist Center launches investigation into Raiffeisen Bank's activities in Russia
Picture: Raiffeisen Bank (Getty Images)
The National Anti-Terrorist Center of Czechia is conducting an investigation into the Austrian group Raiffeisen Bank International. The reason for the investigation is its activities in Russia. This was stated by a representative of the police presidium, Ondřej Moravčík, according to ČT24.
How it all started
The Association for the Rights of Citizens and Entrepreneurs of Czechia appealed to law enforcement agencies because Raiffeisen Bank continues to operate in the Russian Federation.
People believe that by remaining in the Russian market, the bank supports the financing of aggression against Ukraine.
"Unfortunately, they (the bank - ed.) replenish the budget of the Russian state in the form of income tax, which uses it to finance aggression against Ukraine," said the initiator of the appeal, Ladislav Pelсl, who is a client of the bank.
What Czech law enforcement officials say
Due to the possible support of terrorism, the Association for the Rights of Citizens and Entrepreneurs appealed to law enforcement agencies to initiate a criminal case against Raiffeisen Bank International.
"We are currently dealing with this, but I cannot provide any additional information about the progress of this investigation," said Ondřej Moravčík.
How the bank reacted to this
The press service of Raiffeisen Bank responded that it is committed to further reducing its business activities in Russia.
"The group is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the bank in Russia, which employs more than nine thousand people," the press release said.
Raiffeisen Bank International in Russia
The bank did not sell its business after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and continued to operate in the Russian market. In February, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control launched an investigation into RBI's operations in Russia, the partially occupied territories of Ukraine and Syria.
Raiffeisen Bank International made more than half of its profits last year in Russia, where it earned 2 billion euros.
Recently, the bank's CEO Johann Strobl said that he sees the end of December as a possible deadline for the sale of Russian assets.
