‘It’s one thing to seek a tax haven, it’s something else to live in Russia’: French actor may regret his recent defection

January 8, 2013

Article by Joseph Brean, National Post

“What is happening is fun at one level,” said Aurel Braun, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, and visiting professor of government at Harvard University. The French are upset, the Russians are elated, and Mr. Putin gets to pretend he showed up the West by luring its best talent.

“If you do run afoul of the authorities, then neither the constitution nor the courts are likely to help you.”

“But the reality is it’s one thing to seek a tax haven, it’s something else to live in Russia and be subject to so-called Russian laws,” Prof. Braun said. “If you do run afoul of the authorities, then neither the constitution nor the courts are likely to help you.”