MOSCOW, January 13 - RAPSI, Alyona Yegorova. The Moscow government has challenged a court decision charging it $17.3 million in a lawsuit on the construction of Tsar Alexis I's palace in Kolomenskoye Park, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com).

UniversStroyLux sought to recover debt under a 2009 state contract according to which the developer renovated the palace. The Moscow Commercial Court ruled on September 14 to recover from the Moscow government 548 million rubles ($17.3 million) in unjustified enrichment, but refused to recover 22.23 million rubles ($704,000) in interest. The judgment came into force in November.

The claimant maintains that the Moscow government did not pay for the project in full as the design estimate documents were occasionally revised due to the unique character of the facility. The developer also said the object has been commissioned and utilized by the park.

Meanwhile, the Moscow government's lawyer objected to the lawsuit, stating that the project cost was fixed and could not be adjusted throughout the project.

UniversStroyLux is a Moscow-based development company engaged in design, construction and renovation.

The palace of Tsar Alexis I is a unique wood architectural masterpiece built in mid-17th century. A century later it was dismantled. However, the design was secured and has now been used in the reconstruction.