Government rejects Russia’s objection to property freeze

The Czech government has rejected Russia's objection to freezing almost all Russian assets in Czechia, Czech Television reported citing foreign ministry sources. The freeze, which the Czech government approved in November of last year, concerns some 70 properties owned by a Russian state company in Prague, Central Bohemia and Karlovy Vary. The Kremlin criticized the move as “unlawful” and threatened to retaliate. The freeze came as part of sanctions made in response to Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine. Buildings used by the Russian embassy for diplomatic purposes are excluded from the sanctions, since they are protected by diplomatic immunity.