×
Enjoying ad-free content?
Since July 1, 2024, we have disabled all ads to improve your reading experience.
This commitment costs us $10,000 a month. Your support can help us fill the gap.
Support us
Our journalism is banned in Russia. We need your help to keep providing you with the truth.

Dutch Executive at Gazprom Attacked in Car

A Dutch executive with Gazprom was slightly injured after being attacked by a Moscow banker's bodyguards on Rublyovskoye Shosse, news reports said Monday.

The Dutch national, identified by Lifenews.ru as Jorrit Ioole Faassen, 30, was driving his BMW car Sunday night when a Mercedes and a Volkswagen cut him off near the Europark center.

Several people wielding baseball bats got out of the two cars, broke the BMW's windows, beat Faassen and fled toward the city center, Lifenews.ru reported.

Faassen suffered slight injuries, Interfax said.

The suspected attackers, a group of young men, were detained a short time later near Novy Arbat and taken to the Kuntsevo police precinct, Interfax reported, citing the police.

The suspects were armed and believed to work as bodyguards for the head of a small bank, Interfax said, without elaborating.

Lifenews.ru said eight people were detained: Trado-Bank co-owner Matvei Urin and seven bodyguards.

Police also confiscated four bags of naswai, a smokeless tobacco popular in Central Asia; a gas pistol; two regular pistols; and a rifle mold, the report said.

A police spokesman, reached by phone, could not confirm the attack Monday. Repeated calls to Gazprom's press office went unanswered.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more