Spanish Financial Authorities Unaware of Russian Accounts Freeze

Spanish financial authorities claim that they have no information on Russian accounts being frozen in the country.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Spanish financial authorities, including the ministries of economy and finance, when questioned by Sputnik, said they have no information on Russian accounts being frozen in the country.

Earlier in the day, Deutsche Welle reported, citing Valencia-based lawyer Gregorio Fuentes, that Spanish authorities have frozen hundreds of accounts opened by Russian citizens residing in the country for not disclosing their capital’s origins on time.

The Spanish Ministry of Economy’s representative said he was “unaware of such information.” The Spanish commission to prevent illegal money laundering Sepblac refused to comment on the issue, saying that the information is confidential.

The Bank of Spain also refused to comment on Deutsche Welle’s report, saying that the issue is not within its scope.

A Spanish Ministry of Finance representative said only that the measures reportedly taken against Russian citizens may concern the 2010 law, obliging foreigners to disclose documents revealing where their money come from.

The law stipulates that Spanish accounts of those who fail to disclose money origins within the set period of time (2-3 months) may be frozen.