Russian consumer group files lawsuit against Apple over Crimea block

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. A Russian consumer organization said on Monday it has filed an action against computer giant Apple, assessing "Apple’s refusal to sell its products and provide related services in the Republic of Crimea, which is a Russian territory, as illegal.”

The organization Public Consumer Initiative (PCI) says the firm has no legal grounds to prohibit or limit supplies of goods and spares to marketing and repair companies in Crimea, which became part of Russian territory in March last year.

"Representative offices of foreign companies in Russia should not thoughtlessly implement orders of their western owners. They need to understand that such policy can result in returns of all acquired products at current prices and explain consequences to their founders,” PCI warned.

The organization has prepared and will soon file similar actions against other companies announcing sanctions against Russian consumers for political motives.

Restriction of service provision due to Crimea-related US sanctions was announced last week by PayPal, Apple, and Google. Russian newspaper Kommersant says Dell and Hewlett-Packard corporations have banned their Russian partners from supplying company hardware and software to Crimea.