In 2010, the D.C. federal district court issued a default judgement against the Russian Federation in
Agudas Chasidei Chabad of United States v. Russian Federation, ordering it to return two collections of valuable Jewish religious books and manuscripts to Chasidei Chabad of United States. (See
prior posting.) Now, according to
Blog of the Legal Times, Chabad has filed a request for issuance of contempt sanctions (
full text of motion filed 3/5/2012). The filing explains:
Chabad has made a good faith effort to negotiate with Defendants, including multiple meetings at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, Defendants have not complied with the Court’s judgment. Nor have Defendants agreed to return any portion of the Collection as a result of diplomatic efforts... On January 13, 2012, Russian Culture Minister Alexander Avdeyev announced at a press conference that “A constructive dialogue over the Schneerson Library will be possible only after the U.S. court reverses its decision and the claimant withdraws its lawsuit.” Defendants’ position is unacceptable.
Accordingly, Chabad respectfully requests that the Court enter an Order finding defendants ... in contempt of court and issue a significant daily or weekly monetary sanction against each them for refusing to comply with the Court’s judgment. Chabad also intends to proceed with enforcement of the Court’s judgment ... but will not seek to attach any art or objects of cultural significance subject to the immunity protections of 22 U.S.C. § 2459.
