French bank Societe Generale began closing the accounts of Russian diplomats in Paris without explanation on Friday, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Employees of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have also been affected, RIA Novosti reported, citing an unnamed source within diplomatic circles.
“At this time, while deputies of the National Assembly and the French Senate are voting on lifting the sanctions against Russia, the French bank Societe Generale, seemingly out of fear from the U.S. side, is closing the accounts not only of Russian citizens, but Russian diplomats as well,” the unnamed source said, RIA Novosti reported.
The French Foreign Ministry has promised to provide information on the closing of the accounts. Societe Generale has not yet responded to RIA Novosti with comments regarding the closures.
In June 2015, the French “daughter” bank of Russia-based Vneshtorgbank (VTB) froze the accounts of Russian companies. The accounts were reopened the following month.
Accounts of people associated with state-owned and operated news agency Rossia Segodnya were also frozen in June 2015, a move declared illegal by a Paris court in April.
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