Russia: Police raids Sun InBev offices to find tax-evasion probes

Russian police have raided the Moscow offices of Sun Inbev, part of the world's leading brewer, InBev, the company said, according to Reuters, November 23.

"The investigative actions are linked to a probe concerning two of InBev's contractors," Sun InBev spokesman Alexei Shaveznov told Reuters.

The Interior Ministry was not immediately available for comment. Sun InBev is Russia's second-largest brewer behind Baltika.

A source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters the raids were linked to a tax-evasion probe. Shaveznov declined to comment on the nature of the probe, nor did he name the contractors.

Russia has tightened sanctions against tax-evading companies since the oil empire YUKOS was hit with billions of dollars of back tax claims in 2003.

23 November, 2007