[Translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

New complaint against TotalEnergies for complicity in Russian war crimes in Ukraine, 30 March 2023

Two associations filed a new complaint...to try to obtain the appointment of an investigating judge to investigate TotalEnergies, which they accuse of complicity in Russian war crimes in Ukraine...

A first complaint had been filed without further action.

Accused of having indirectly contributed to the Russian war effort by continuing to exploit a deposit after the start of the war in Ukraine, which would have made it possible to manufacture fuel used by planes in Moscow, the oil group denounced to AFP of the "outrageous", "defamatory" and "unfounded" attacks.

The two complainant associations from Bordeaux and Ukraine, Darwin Climax Coalition and Razom We Stand, filed a complaint...with a civil action.

This procedure makes it possible to obtain the appointment of an investigating judge almost automatically.

"The accusations of + complicity in war crimes + are outrageous and defamatory", replied the group.

"Words have meaning and such comments are unacceptable. These accusations against our Company, which conducts its operations in strict compliance with European Union policy and applicable European sanctions measures, are particularly serious and unfounded in light of the explanations that we have provided", added TotalEnergies...