HELSINKI. April 19 (Interfax) - Finnish law enforcement agencies have seized a building and plot of land belonging to the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Helsinki, as well as seven apartments in the city's suburbs.
"As per a decision made by law enforcement a week ago, the order to freeze [assets] applies to a plot of land and the office building located at 1, Nordenskioldinkatu," the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper said on Wednesday.
According to the property ownership documents, the plot currently belongs to the Russian Federation, and its previous owner was the Soviet Union.
The center's assets were frozen at the request of the Finnish Foreign Ministry, which reached an agreement on the issue with the EU in July 2022.
Finland has frozen the assets of all individuals added to the EU's sanctions list against Russia since the spring of 2022. Previously, the target of such seizures and asset freezes was largely the property of Russian oligarchs, but such measures have now started to apply to Russian state-owned assets.
Russia cannot dispose of, eliminate or pawn the property as long as it remains frozen.
The interim measure will remain in force for three weeks, during which it will be clarified whether the plot and the office buildings are owned, in the possession of, or under the control of a sanctioned party. The area of the frozen plot and office building is 3,326 square meters and 3,926 square meters, respectively. The value of the frozen property is not known, according to the decision.
In addition, seven apartments located on the outskirts of Helsinki were seized in early April. According to law enforcement agencies, these apartments are linked to individuals targeted by sanctions.