Austria's RBI files $3.6 billion claim for damages against Rasperia (updated)

Strabag SE

30/07/2026 17:58

Adds quote from RBI CEO, no immediate comment from Rasperia, context
VIENNA, July 30 (Reuters) - Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) said on Thursday that it had filed a legal claim for around €3.15 billion ($3.6 billion) in damages from European Union-sanctioned Russian firm Rasperia in Austria, after announcing it would do so a week ago. 
The claim was filed at a regional court in Vienna.
In an attempt to shift funds out of Russia, Raiffeisen in 2023 planned for its local unit to buy a stake in Austrian construction firm Strabag belonging to Rasperia, but later pulled out of the move, fearing it would fall foul of sanctions. 
Rasperia's stake in Strabag was frozen under EU sanctions. 
A Russian court later ordered RBI's Russian subsidiary to pay €2.4 billion damages to the company, prompting the Austrian bank to seek compensation through Rasperia's frozen assets in Austria.
The frozen assets subject to European Union sanctions consist of 28.5 million Strabag shares, including retained dividends and cash distributions.
"In full compliance with EU sanctions law, we are seeking compensation for the losses our shareholders have suffered as a result of the Russian court rulings," RBI CEO Michael Hoellerer said in a statement.
Rasperia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
($1 = 0.8690 euros)

 (Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich, writing by Matthias Williams, editing by Thomas Seythal and Elaine Hardcastle)
 ((matthias.williams@thomsonreuters.com;))