Russia

  1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?
  • A stolen vehicle may be seized in Russia if:

a) it has been stopped by an Inspector of the Traffic Police or a City Patrol Officer and is recorded as stolen in one of the federal stolen vehicle databases or ;

b) it is suspected of having been stolen i.e. it has an altered VIN or engine number etc. ;

c) it is a foreign vehicle and has been reported as having been stolen abroad.

  1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?
  • Interpol channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location.
  1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?
  • The Traffic Police, District Police or other state law enforcement agency is responsible for the storage of seized stolen vehicles.
  1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?
  • There are no costs associated with the storage of a seized stolen vehicle.
  1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
  • A stolen vehicle may be restored to its legal owner in the following way:
  • Applications from foreign law enforcement agencies to recover a stolen vehicle should be sent to the Russian Federation General Prosecutor’s Office. Such requests are normally dealt with in accordance with standing inter-governmental agreements, international practice in relation to mutual assistance in criminal matters as well as the General Prosecutor’s directions.
  • Documents confirming legal ownership have to be joined to the request. In those instances where an insurance company is involved, the original or certified copy of the insurance contract should be provided as well as documents showing that the insurance has been paid to the vehicle’s owner together with a declaration from the latter stating that he hands over the rights to the vehicle to the insurance company.
  • The law enforcement agency which has found the vehicle considers such applications on behalf of the General Prosecutor’s Office under the supervision of the appropriate public prosecutor.

In accordance with the General Prosecutor’s Office directions, the vehicle is handed over to its owner or a representative for the relevant agent (including an insurance company official) at the place where the vehicle is stored unless the vehicle has been registered in the name of a third party (i.e. a Russian national, a foreigner residing in Russia or a person without citizenship).If a dispute as to ownership should arise or a third party makes a claim on the vehicle, this person has to bring the case to a court of law.

  1. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?
  2. Please give details of relevant legislation
  3. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why
  1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned
  • The Russian Federation has a bilateral Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden for the Return of Stolen and Embezzled Motor Vehicles. The Agreemt was done in Moscow on 26th of April, 1999.
  1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties
  • The contact point in the NCB is Mr Piotr GORODOV,

tel. : (095) 332-09-92
719-75-29
332-30-33

Last update : March 2000