Today, Group DF released a statement that the Volnogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant, which belongs to the group, was seized on September 22.
The seizure was carried out by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Dnipropetrovsk region with the participation of representatives of the Dnipropetrovsk regional state administration, controlled by Igor Kolomoisky.
It's surprising that Group DF only released an official statement about what happened on September 22 today, September 26. One might assume that negotiations to resolve the situation behind closed doors had been ongoing all these days. But, as we can see, they were unsuccessful.
Below is the text of the official statement from Group DF:
On the situation at Volnogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant
Group DF reports that on September 22, 2014, a group of armed individuals, accompanied by officials from the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration and members of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Ministry of Internal Affairs, forcibly seized the Volnogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant (VMMK). Without presenting any permits, the group of unknown individuals unauthorizedly, illegally, and violently entered the plant's premises, using physical force, under the pretext of transferring assets belonging to Crimean Titan PJSC to the previously established United Mining and Chemical Company (UMC) state enterprise.
Meanwhile, on September 4, 2014, the Kyiv District Administrative Court issued a ruling prohibiting the State Property Fund and other agencies, including law enforcement, from transferring or returning leased CEC assets to the state until the case was heard on the merits and a final decision was rendered. However, despite this, the court's injunction was cynically ignored and violated.
As a result of the forced takeover, employees were barred from work, and the company's management was forcibly removed from office. As a result, production was completely disrupted, leading to the plant's shutdown. Since Volnogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant is a city-forming enterprise, its shutdown could affect not only the 5 workers who would be out of work, but also the entire city—24 people.
During its 10-year lease of the Volnogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Plant, Crimean Titan invested over 850 million hryvnias in the plant's development, paid its employees' wages on time, and paid taxes and fees to the state.
The illegal forceful actions that took place using state apparatus are a demonstrative and cynical violation of the law, as well as a manifestation of gross disrespect for the rights of investors.
The company intends to defend its rights and seek justice using all legal means.
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