The court rejected a lawsuit by Russian businessman Sergey Mayzus against the decision by which the authorities did not extend his stay in the Czech Republic. The reason is, among other things, that his activities could lead to dangerous criminal activity.
Russian businessman Sergey Mayzus, who owns castles, large properties, and agricultural companies in the Czech Republic, is close to being forced to leave the Czech Republic.
The Interior Ministry’s Commission for Decision-Making on the Residence of Foreigners first refused to extend his residence permit, and when he filed a lawsuit against it, the Regional Court in České Budějovice also rejected it – not yet final.
According to the commission, the police’s findings that Sergey Mayzus is in contact with people involved in organized crime in the Czech Republic are serious. The court was also inclined to do so.
“The classified information proves beyond any doubt that the applicant’s (Sergey Mayzus’) stay in the Czech Republic for the purpose of doing business – participating in a legal entity specified in the application for the extension of the validity of the long-term residence permit – is not in the interest of the Czech Republic,” wrote Tereza Kučerová, a regional judge in České Budějovice, in the decision.
Attorney Boris Vršinský, who represents Mayzus, did not want to comment on the court’s decision. He said he did not have it at his disposal yet. For example, it is unclear whether Mayzus will continue to litigate and file a cassation complaint with the Supreme Administrative Court.
Because he was not exempted from confidentiality, Vršinský would not say whether his client is still in the Czech Republic. “I cannot tell you any information about my clients,” Vršinský told Seznam Zprav when asked.
Specifically, the Commission for Decision-Making in Matters of Residence of Foreigners submitted information to the court that Mayzus’ activities “consist of activities and developing contacts related to the organized criminal environment and that through such conduct he may be committing serious and significantly socially dangerous criminal activity.”
In his lawsuit, Sergey Mayzus alleged, among other things, that the domestic authorities had interfered with his rights. According to him, his family lives in the Czech Republic for a long time and he will not be able to contact them. In addition, he claims that he could be politically persecuted or drafted into the war in Ukraine upon his return to Russia.
However, the court described these fears as speculation. Moreover, according to Judge Kučerová, nothing prevents Mayzus from living anywhere other than Russia. “He is free to choose his residence destination as he sees fit, so nothing prevents him from realizing family life in the territory of another, safe, state,” Kucherova wrote.
She added that he can also do business from another state. Mayzus himself, the judge pointed out, told the Chotoviny municipality’s newsletter that “he can conduct his business from virtually anywhere.”
Even before the authorities decided not to extend Mayzus’ stay in the Czech Republic, the businessman had already concluded a property agreement with his wife.
Mayzus himself now owns nothing, while his wife currently owns the Chotoviny and Nemyšl castles, two family houses near Prague, an apartment in Hlubočepy, Prague, a studio in Dejvice, and other large plots of land.
Until recently, Sergey Mayzus also indirectly owned aviation equipment in the Czech Republic. Two Eurocopter helicopters are still registered in the aviation register in the name of Maysus Aviation Comapany. However, Mayzus has also removed its influence from these assets. Since June last year, Maysus Aviation Comapany has been owned by the Prague law firm Vych & Partners.
The firm is not only the owner of two helicopters, according to the aviation register it operates a small aircraft Cirrus SR 22.
