Special Coverage

Special report on dispute between IKEA and SAE and state involvement allegations

A new round of a legal dispute between businessman Konstantin Ponomarev and IKEA demonstrates how a big international company may mislead governmental institutions for years by discrediting legal mechanisms developed in Russia for protection of investors and businessmen.

11:59 25.05.2017

Turning point of Russian legal ‘business’

Russian legal professionals may be allowed to run business. It means that they would be enabled to provide services on a full-scale basis, whereas their clients will enjoy the rights of consumers. At present the practice of law in Russia is limited to professional legal assistance services. Some legal professionals believe it is kind of a trick because professional services cannot be performed as a charity work whereas business and competitive market are major drivers for high-quality legal services.

15:43 12.01.2017

Russian Minister Ulyukayev appears in court over $2-million bribe - live updates

RAPSI hosted a live text broadcast from Moscow's Basmanny District Court where Russian Economy Minister Alexey Ulyukayev was brought on suspicion of taking a bribe linked to Bashneft deal.

15:59 15.11.2016

IKEA’s slippery slope in Russia

Russian businessman Konstantin Ponomarev is embroiled in a long-standing dispute with IKEA over rented diesel generators. A turning point in the litigation emerged after Joakim Virtanen, former manager at IKEA’s Russian division, turned himself in to investigators. Virtanen presented his arguments before the Smolensk court as a witness last week. Having spent over 10 hours in the court, he kindly agreed to answer some questions in an exclusive interview to RAPSI.

15:41 31.08.2016

Legislative curb on foreign law firms in Russian courts

There is nothing unusual in a legislative initiative aimed at limiting participation of foreign law firms in civil proceedings in Russian courts as numerous attempts to “normalize the situation” were made earlier, says Gennady Sharov, Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers.

11:01 21.04.2016

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025