On August 16, 2007, work of several companies of Oslo Marine Group was paralyzed owing to activities undertaken by Main Interior Department of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. According to the company’s press release, law enforcement officials appeared at the territory of Baltic Marine Center (Mezhevoi canal 5, Liter AX) – the location of the majority of Oslo Marine companies: Insurance Company Scandinavia Ltd, ScanMarineConsulting Ltd, Zapadnaya Kompania CJSC, Scandinavia Leasing Company Ltd, medical insurance company Medstrakhcom and Norwegian Medical Center.
The group of law enforcement officials presented the warrant for search of the complete building located 198035, Mezhevoi canal 5, Liter AX. However, later it became obvious the warrant was given for the search of the Group’s offices exclusively as other offices of Baltiv Marine Center were not searched. Law enforcement officials blocked the access to the offices of Oslo Marine Group from 11-30 till 22-45.
Activities of 9 companies of the Group were paralyzed, the Group’s server was confiscated as well as accounting documents.
According to the company’s management, the search affected the Group’s customers: over 100,000 of Medstrakhcom’s clients were cut off medical assistance for 24 hours. The clients of Norwegian Medical Center were sent to other medical institutions after hours of expectation. Customers of Insurance Company Scandinavia Ltd had to get to the company’s other office.
Currently the Group estimates the loss while several directors and members of the Group’s personnel asked the Prosecutor’s office to check legality of the activities undertaken by some of the officials and to institute criminal proceedings against certain persons upon violation of civil rights provisioned by the RF Constitution.
The company also asked the Governor of St. Petersburg to ensure personal control of law enforcement agencies undertaking uncontrolled search of the city’s largest taxpayers.