UPDATE: According to Interfax (Jan. 17), the Russian presidential representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy does not understand the court's contempt findings. He said:
Russia earlier honored all agreements on this issue. The problem was discussed within the Gore-Chernomyrdin commission's framework, and we reached quite a reasonable compromise with the American side then. We set up the Center of Oriental Literature at the Russian State Library, where, in particular, the Schneerson collection is stored, and it is accessible to any citizens, including Russian and others. A prayer room was also set up there, where religious cults can be observed. I had assumed the issue was settled.He added: "Transferring books from the Russian State Library violates the law, it is prohibited."