The German resort town of Binz has asked anti-money laundering authorities to investigate Deutsche ReGas, the operator of a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. The town opposes the terminal due to environmental concerns.
Germany is expediting the construction of LNG terminals in an effort to reduce its dependence on Russian gas supplies.
Binz recently announced that it would take legal action against the federal government’s plans to construct LNG terminals off the Baltic Sea coast following the parliament’s approval of a reform to expedite the process.
The lawyers for the municipality of Ostseebad, Geulen and Klinger, issued a statement on Friday stating that there is an “opaque financing background” associated with Deutsche ReGas and called for an examination into the matter.
Deutsche ReGas, which has already invested 100 million euros ($111.24 million) in an operating LNG terminal project in Lumbin, strongly denied the allegations and asserted that there is no lack of transparency in its financial activities.
Binz’s lawyers have requested further investigations from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The FIU spokesperson stated that they are unable to disclose any information regarding the operational analysis.
($1 = 0.8990 euros)
Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Holger Hansen; editing by Rachel More and Louise Heavens
Credit: The Star : News Feed
