Agents of the Russian secret service FSB stormed the premises of the local subsidiary of the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet in Moscow and confiscated watches worth several million euros.
The Russian authorities are citing alleged customs offenses as the reason for their action. But according to many experts, it is most likely an arbitrary repressive measure in response to the sanctions.
Explosive: Just a few hours before the house search at Audemars Piguet, the Swiss Federal Council tightened the sanctions and banned the export of luxury goods to Russia – including jewellery, art and watches.
With this move, Moscow is making good on its threat: the Kremlin announced that companies that withdraw from business in Russia would be nationalized and their assets confiscated. According to the “NZZ”, Audemars Piguet had not publicly commented on the Ukraine war. Only two branches in Moscow have been closed. Apparently reason enough for a “counterstrike”.
