Moscow - Oslo, September 25, 2007. – The Supreme Court of Norway announced its decision to dismiss all charges against two Russian vessels, “Captain Gorbatchev” and “Dmitry Pokramovitch”, arrested by the Norwegian authorities in October 2005, charged with breaching Norwegian fishing regulations. EPAM represented the Russian side.

On 6 September 2007 the Supreme Court of Norway reviewed the appeal put forward by the lawyers representing the captains and owners of the two Russian vessels accused of breaching Norwegian fishing regulations, including counts of illegal fishing and failing to notify the Norwegian authorities of the fish transshipment near Medvezhiy Island, Norway. As announced today, all charges have been dropped by the Supreme Court.

In October 2005, Norwegian authorities began criminal proceedings and imposed a fine of 900 000 Norwegian Kroner (350 000 USD) against the captain and owners of “Captain Gorbachev”. Other defendants in this case were the owner and the captain of vessel ‘Dmitry Pokramovich’.

Following the defense case presented by Russian lawyers from EPAM in March 2006, the Court of Tromso (Norway) dismissed the charges brought against Russian fishing companies and lifted the fine. In February 2007 the Court of Appeal reversed the decision made by the Court in Tromso and decreed in favour of the case of the Coast Guard of North Norway. However, as a result of the revision of the case by the Supreme Court of Norway, all charges were finally dismissed.

“The Supreme Court of Norway has drawn the line in this two-year-long debate proving the legality of the actions of the Russian fishermen,” – commented Dimitry Afanasiev, Chairman of “EPAM”. - “Meanwhile, it came to our knowledge that Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries are now reputed to be in the process of preparing and promulgating new regulations which will be clearer and more easily accessible to the Russian side. We hope that together with today’s decision of the Supreme Court these measures will help to prevent any unjust accusations and sanctions against Russian fishermen working in Norwegian seas in the future”.

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EPAM is a leading national law firm in Russia with offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg and London. Founded in 1993, the firm combines extensive emerging markets experience with international professional standards. EPAM regularly represents international companies doing business in Russia and Russian companies expanding internationally. It frequently acts for the Russian Federation in transactional and litigation matters. The firm also regularly serves as Russian counsel to leading international law firms.