07:04: Moscow would have threatened Western companies with arrests and seizures
The Russian authorities, who have already taken a tough stance against foreign companies wishing to withdraw from the country, have directly threatened some of them, warning them of possible arrests of officials or seizure of their assets, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Russian prosecutors have issued warnings via calls, letters or visits, against companies in all sectors, including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, IBM and Yum Brands, the parent company of the KFC and Pizza Hut, the business daily said on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
They have notably threatened to arrest officials criticizing the government or to seize assets, including those relating to intellectual property. A few hours after this publication, the Russian Embassy in the United States denied these allegations, in a statement posted on its Facebook page.