MOSCOW, July 21. /ITAR-TASS/. The International Arbitration Chamber of Paris has recognized the validity of an acquisition of Friguia Alumina Refinery in Guinea by Russian aluminum giant UC RUSAL, the giant said in a statement Monday.

In 2006, RUSAL bought the plant for $19 million. In 2009, Guinea appraised the plant at $257 million and accused RUSAL of non-payment of taxes and royalty. RUSAL accumulated an $860 million debt in the project, local authorities said, and filed a claim to invalidate the deal.

The Paris court also ordered the Guinean government to pay €250,000 to RUSAL in compensation for legal costs.