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According to NZZ am Sonntag, Russia seized millions of dollars worth of Audemars Piguet watches in Moscow last week.
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The move appeared to be in retaliation for Swiss sanctions against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Switzerland has moved away from its historical neutrality and sanctioned Russia in the Ukrainian War.
Russian secret service agents have confiscated millions of dollars of luxury watches from Swiss watchmakers in clear retaliation for Swiss sanctions against the Ukrainian War. NZZ am Sonntag The newspaper reported on Sunday.
According to the newspaper, the watch was confiscated from a local subsidiary of Audemars Piguet in Moscow earlier this month. Audemars Piguet is a family-owned watchmaker with a history of nearly 150 years.Of the brand Luxury watch Admission is usually tens of thousands of dollars.
Russian officials quoted a customs breach of watch seizures, but the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a secret note that it was likely “arbitrary repression in response to sanctions,” according to NZZ am Sonntag. Stated.
February 28, Switzerland From a historically neutral position Sanctions russia Over a provocative invasion of Ukraine.Restrictions include export bans on Luxury goods To Russia.
Russia was the 17th largest market for Swiss watch exports in 2021, accounting for CHF 260.1 million ($ 278.6 million) in shipments. Federation of Swiss Watch Associations..
Audemars Piguet and the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to insider comment requests sent outside normal business hours.A spokesman for the Swiss Foreign Ministry said Bloomberg The national embassy in Moscow “is currently in a very intensive exchange” with Russian Swiss companies.
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