🛒 Russian Owners Remain Behind Mere After Share Transfer
The Spanish company Vigalight, which took over the shares of Lithuania-based ValientÄ—, is owned by three Russian citizens, according to documents reviewed by LRT.lt. The records show that Sergej Shnaider holds 79% of shares, Andrej Veikulainen 15%, and Valerij Jakovlev 6%. All three were previously linked to the same retail group.
LRT.lt reports that former administrator Igor Jagupov appeared before a notary in Spain with powers to act on behalf of all three shareholders. Earlier disclosures indicated that Vigalight’s management also included Ilja Eginas and Julija Astanina.
Before the September 2024 transfer, Valientė’s shares were held by five Russian citizens, including Ana and Sergej Shnaider and Rustam Kiližekov. The Shnaider family is associated with the 2,000-store Russian chain Svetofor. Valientė operated 21 Mere stores in Lithuania and five in Latvia at the end of 2024. The group employed 319 people in the Baltics.
Context:
The ownership clarification appears as Lithuania and Latvia consider whether to mirror Poland’s sanctions on companies linked to Russian beneficiaries. Retail networks are part of a broader economic-security review in the Baltic region. Further steps will depend on upcoming government positions on foreign-owned retail assets.
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