Continental not an isolated case
Report: Russia threatens German companies
04/21/2022, 11:31 am
Fearing the consequences, auto parts supplier Continental is resuming production in Russia. Other companies also report attempts at intimidation after their withdrawal from the country. Green politician Janecek calls for better protection against Russian reprisals.
After the automotive supplier Continental had to restart production in Russia, the Green politician Dieter Janecek called for European companies to be protected from reprisals in Russia. “Russia is obviously trying to blackmail European companies into continuing their business locally,” said Janecek, spokesman for economic policy for the Greens in the Bundestag, the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
“We must not give in to the threat of nationalization and the criminal prosecution of employees of German companies in Russia.” Janecek suggested coordinating with the international partners “so that we can shut down our business relationships in Russia at the same time”. The economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin must remain high in order for him to be persuaded to negotiate.
Continental announced on Wednesday that the company had resumed tire production in Kaluga, south-west of Moscow, which had been suspended in early March due to the threat of “harsh criminal penalties”. The basis for the step is the “duty of care” for the employees. According to “FAZ”, a number of companies that do not want to be named report on state reprisals in Russia. “This is a recurring pattern,” Lothar Harings, a lawyer specializing in sanctions law at the Graf von Westfalen law firm, told the newspaper.
The first spontaneous withdrawal reaction of many companies gave way to a larger consideration: “The Russians manage to create an atmosphere in which the companies reconsider the quick decision to withdraw.” The lawyer reports mafia-like methods: “We often see reports of state attempts at intimidation. There are threatening phone calls and visits from the police and the public prosecutor’s office. Those affected are reluctant to talk about it openly.”