IT associations have asked Putin to protect "Lesta Games" from "forced nationalization"
A letter was sent to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, requesting his attention on the investigation concerning the group of companies "Lesta Games." It was signed by the leaders of three IT associations (APKIT, “Domestic Software,” and RUSSOFT), as well as one video game association — the Gaming Industry Association (AII).
Left - the game "World of Tanks," right - excerpt from the letter to Putin
Let us recall that the owner of "Lesta Games," Malik Khatazhayev, is accused of extremism. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office claims that he created an extremist organization with Viktor Kislyi, the head of Wargaming, which included "Lesta Games" until 2022.
In their letter, the associations noted that although the accusation is unproven, three Russian legal entities of the developers of the games "World of Tanks" and "World of Warships" have already been seized. Additionally, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office has demanded to transfer the entire "Lesta Games" to the state.
Such a situation is deeply concerning to the associations: they fear that the initiated investigation might just be a pretext for "redistribution of economic assets and forced confiscation of property."
The associations are convinced that if "Lesta Games" is indeed nationalized, its business will collapse. Employees of the group of companies are already resigning en masse. According to the authors of the letter, since mid-April, over 200 key specialists have submitted resignation letters. Many others — up to half of the staff — could follow if "Lesta Games" loses in court. Ultimately, a lack of personnel would adversely affect the quality of their games and deter gamers.
"Simultaneously, the forced transfer of ownership rights on a private IT company will undermine trust in the institution of private property and the stability of legal regulation in the economy under Russian jurisdiction, resulting in the outflow of entrepreneurs and capital abroad, and negatively impacting the investment climate in the Russian Federation as a whole," concluded the authors of the letter.
A full court hearing on the "Lesta Games" case is scheduled to take place in less than a week — on May 27. It will be held in a closed session.
The gaming associations RVI, APRIORI, and R.A.D.I. Video Games have not publicly commented on the proceedings.