Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on May 23 that enables the country to seize and sell assets of people who support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military invasion.
It also targets individuals who aided the establishment of pro-Russian separatist states in Russian-controlled portions of Ukraine or who helped set up elections or referendums in these areas. Eastern Ukraine is home to two pro-Russian separatist states—the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic—recognized by Russia as independent from Ukraine but regarded by Ukrainian officials as occupied terrorist states.
Funneling money to the Kremlin or “glorifying those who are fighting against Ukraine” are also listed as offenses, NPR reported.
The law is designed to rapidly resolve cases, and includes a stipulation stating that the court won’t slow its consideration of the claim against an individual who fails to appear or be represented at court.
Plans are also laid out for a fast appeals process under the law, which would provide each party five days in which to file an appeal. An appeals panel would also have five days to take up the matter.
The president made the remarks during an online appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“It will be a strong state with concrete security priorities,” Zelenskyy said. “We understand that anything can happen at any moment with such a neighbor, and, unfortunately, there can be war. The war may be repeated. I am convinced that we must create conditions so that people and businesses are not afraid to develop in our country,” he said.
Alfa Bank officials didn’t respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
EU officials also stated that Fridman had “supported actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.”