Arkadi Voloj, founder of Yandex, on November 9, 2019 in Moscow (Sputnik/AFP/Archives/Sergei GUNEYEV)
The elegant building overlooking Amsterdam’s iconic Vondelpark stands out in the neighborhood, with its huge anti-war banners: since last month, a group of squatters have occupied the luxurious five-storey building belonging to Arkadi Voloj, the sanctioned co-founder of the “Russian Google” Yandex.
A court last week allowed them to stay there, after they argued the house under renovation was currently empty and intended for rental or sale, in breach of EU sanctions.
“Without the sanctions, the squatters would certainly have lost,” one of their lawyers, Heleen over de Linden, told AFP. “So it’s a very special case”, but which could set a precedent elsewhere, she adds.
The squatters made their message very clear to the rest of the world with three banners.
“Yandex + FSB = heart”, is it written on the first, referring to the close relationship between Voloj’s company and the Russian security service. On the second and third banners, we read: “against war”, “and capitalism”.
AFP was denied access to the building on Thursday by a young woman, who referred to a statement published Wednesday on the “Anarchist Federation” website.
“WE WON [sic]“, say the squatters, hailing a victory “for the whole squatter movement and for all those who like to see (Russian) billionaires having their property confiscated”.
– ‘Beautiful city of Amsterdam’ –
On a sheet of paper hanging near the entrance, the squatters present themselves as a group of young people affected by the housing crisis in the Netherlands.
The note explains that they are occupying the property of Arkadi Voloj, a 58-year-old sanctioned Russian, and that the building will be empty for some time.
Mr. Voloj resigned in early June from the management of Yandex after being individually sanctioned. The EU said it was “supporting, materially or financially” the Russian government in its war against Ukraine.
Squatting has been a crime under Dutch law since 2010, but “the right to respect for one’s home is a human right”, “which can stand in the way of eviction”, explained Juanita van Lunen, who also defended the squatters. And in the event of a request for expulsion, if an unjustified vacancy threatens, the interest of the residents is decisive, she added to AFP.
The lawyer for Paraseven, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and official owner of the premises, launched a legal action against the squatters at the end of October, asking that they be evicted.
He claimed that accommodation on Vossiusstraat, close to Amsterdam’s most famous museums, was to be made available to Mr Voloj as well as his wife, six children and two grandchildren.
EU sanctions allow people under sanctions to use their property for personal gain, even though Voloj itself is subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban.
“Occasionally they will stay there to enjoy the beautiful city of Amsterdam,” the lawyer said, according to the judgment.
– Six bathtubs –
The squatters claimed that the elegant five-storey house under renovation has been divided into three apartments, likely to be sold or rented.
“Why are there SIX bathtubs? Why does each floor have its own locks?” the squatters added in their statement.
The court found it implausible that the place would eventually be occupied by the Russian “in the near future”, and deemed the squatters’ defense credible.
“Rental or sale is not permitted under the sanctions,” added the court, which found it “likely” that “the renovation will lead to a considerable increase in the value of the dwelling.”
The lawsuit will go to appeal, but Heleen over de Linden “is not worried”, she says.
The squatters meanwhile promise to use the premises to organize events in favor of those who oppose the war and those “left behind” – “whether by war displacement or capitalism”. .
© 2022 AFP
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