In Finland, they want to select Putin's Helsinki Arena's associates
Helsinki Arena, or Hartwall Arena, a large concert platform and hockey arena, was closed since 2022 through sanctions imposed against Russian investors after a full -scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine that year. Last year, Helsinki stated that Russian-Finnish businessmen Gennady Tymchenko and Romanberg Roman, who control the company with a arena, threatens expropriation if they voluntarily sell property.
In early September, Helsinki Arena was disconnected from electricity, water and heating, the Yle Finnish TV company reports. The sanctions of the Arena used the hockey club "Yochert" from Helsinki. However, in 2022, after leaving the Russian hockey league, the team left the arena and gradually removed all the equipment. The Finnish Foreign Ministry made an exception in September and allowed the Finnish Hockey Union, which owns offices in this building, paying overdue electricity bills.
However, the Union refused, stating that it would only be a temporary decision. The Hockey Federation of Russia (FHR), whose Vice President is Rothenberg, and Timchenko-controlled Volga Group did not respond to a request to comment on the situation. The City Council stated on Monday in the evening that expropriation was necessary to stop the destruction of the building and prevent the damage to Finland's reputation because of the impossibility of holding major international events.
The city added that this process could take years and will require the government and compensation for owners. In 2023, the capital of the capital estimated that hotels, restaurants and other businesses lose up to 400 million euros ($ 425. 24 million) in revenue for a year while the arena is idle.