Privatization results may be revised. According to the Audit Chamber, privatization has produced few social benefits, while principles pertaining to the equality of citizens and consideration for the interests and rights of all social strata have not been observed.
The Audit Chamber report focuses on loans-for-shares auctions. The document's authors list a number of companies whose privatization rules they believe could be questioned: TNK, Yukos, Sibneft, Slavneft, Sidanko and some others.
This document stipulates a number of methods for restoring the status quo. One of these is currently being implemented with regard to Yukos. The report reads that the Audit Chamber's checks and the facts provide legal grounds to recognize individual deals as invalid within the statute of limitations. Therefore, subsequent proceedings on annulling privatization results could be instituted under a simplified concept based on precedent.
Vladimir Putin's speech at the national congress of judges yesterday supported Sergei Stepashin's intention, albeit indirectly. According to the Russian leader, oligarch groups are to some extent still trying to exert pressure on the authorities. "We are fighting this and will continue to do so in the future," the president stressed.
