The Russian mobile communications provider MTS has filed an extended lawsuit against Turkmenistan to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and demanded that Turkmenistan repay $1,5 billion despite the fact that the previous amount of the claim amounted to $750 million.
“MTS total losses are currently estimated at $1,5 billion.MTS intends to decisively defend its claims in the Court of Arbitration until a favourable verdict is reached and the compensation of damages incurred is received”, Interfax press relations service was quoted as saying.
Let us recall that before taking the case to the court in August 2018, MTS preliminary losses were estimated at $750 million.
According to the Russian cellular operator, Turkmenistan violated its rights as a foreign investor stipulated in the Turkmenistan-Russia agreement signed in 2009 and expropriated the investments.
“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has reported that attorney Miriam Harwood will be representing Turkmenistan’s interests in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Let us recall that the mobile provider MTS-Turkmenistan curtailed its operations in late September 2017.
Turkmenistan had refused to extend the frequency use license agreement.At the time of the closure the provider had some 1,7 million subscribers.
A few monthly before MTS shut-down the Turkmen local authorities announced that the second state-run mobile operator “Ai Nazar” would be set up in Turkmenistan in a short term perspective.
However, since that time the new company has never been mentioned again.