Ex Ukraine PM sues gas trader in US court

[AkMike]

KIEV, Ukraine—Former Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko says she has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court against a gas trader over alleged corruption in natural gas trade with Russia.

Tymoshenko said in a Twitter post Wednesday the suit was against Swiss-based RosUkrEnergo, which is jointly owned by Russia's energy giant Gazprom and Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash.

Tymoshenko herself is the subject of a wide-ranging investigation in Ukraine into alleged financial misdeeds while in office.

The ex-prime minister said the suit was aimed at forcing RosUkrEnergo to return 12.1 billion cubic meters of gas to the Ukrainian government, which it wrestled from state energy company Naftogaz following a decision by Stockholm Arbitration Court last year.

Tymoshenko's office would not provide detail on the law suit.

Ex Ukraine PM sues gas trader in US court - Boston.com




Now could anyone please tell me why or how a foriegn court could have any power over another country or company not doing business in their country?
The Stockholm court decision baffled me and this is new is wrinkle bizzare. I was under the impression that the world court in Belgium did this.

[stepanstas]

This article explains it a bit better.

Tymoshenko Files Lawsuit In New York On Behalf Of All Ukrainians

NEW YORK -- Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court in New York City on behalf of Ukrainians.

The lawsuit accuses gas trader RosUkrEnergo and the businessman Dmitry Firtash of a conspiracy to rob Ukraine of natural gas supplies.

Tymoshenko disputes the ruling of the Stockholm Arbitration Court from last year, which determined that the state energy company NAK Naftogaz Ukrainy owed RosUkrEnergo and Firtash 12.1 billion cubic meters of gas.

The gas had already been paid by the government, Tymoshenko claims.

Under U.S. law, foreigners can seek justice there if they believe their rights under international conventions have been violated.
Tymoshenko's lawsuit, filed April 26, seeks to represent all Ukrainian people in a class-action suit, and seeks unspecified damages.

Should be interesting.

[AkMike]

That does make for an interesting twist...

If she's sucessful... How in the world could a US court enforce anything? Send in Navy Seal Team #6?

[stepanstas]

Originally Posted by AkMike

That does make for an interesting twist...

If she's sucessful... How in the world could a US court enforce anything? Send in Navy Seal Team #6?

The Seal's mission would never end then. Target: every high level Ukrainian politician.