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Russian court orders seizure of $7 million in Google’s Russian funds, property

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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO – The Google app logo can be seen on this smartphone illustration, taken September 15, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters] – In a case concerning U.S. restrictions on the YouTube channel, a major television company, a Moscow court ordered Google property to be seized for $7 million.

Google, Alphabet (NASDAQ) Inc. did not immediately reply to a comment request.

Russian media outlets reported that this case involves Gazprom Media Holding’s GPM Entertainment Television. The suit was filed by Gazprom to have Google grant access to their YouTube accounts.

Russia’s Communications Regulator and Politicians are exerting heavy pressure on YouTube for blocking Russian-state-funded media.

Russia has blocked other international internet firms like Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:) or Instagram as it fights to control information flows following the deployment of tens and thousands of troops in Ukraine on February 24, 2018. YouTube will remain available at this time.

Interfax quotes Moscow’s Arbitration Court saying that GPM Entertainment Television has claimed interim measures were taken.

The measures include “seizing money (including cash that will be deposited into banks accounts), and all immovable and movable property owned by Google for a total of 500,000,000 roubles.”

RIA reports that GPM Entertainment Television had claimed previously before the court rejected it on April 13.

Gazprom Media is the owner of several important Russian television and social media assets. Some of these are benefiting from foreign firms being blocked or expelled.

($1 = 71.6750 roubles)

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