+2 Kyiv
The court ruling remains in effect until February 3, 2025, according to company representatives. They believe that detectives from the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) are effectively seizing property despite having authorization solely for conducting searches. Entrepreneurs claim that law enforcement officers had privately warned them in advance about an orchestrated decision to block the operations of their businesses.
Several enterprises are incurring significant financial losses and are preparing to initiate legal action against law enforcement agencies, according to statements made during a press conference. The entrepreneurs suggested that the disruption to their operations may be linked to alleged pressure on the agricultural holding GNT Group stemming from its ongoing conflict with the creditor Argentem Creek Partners.
Sunolta, the owner of Attollo Granum LLC, has no affiliation with GNT Group or its conflict but has become the target of a media campaign following its official appeal to Argentem Creek Partners (ACP) with a proposal to redeem its debt to ensure stable business operations, according to participants at the press conference.
They allege that ACP’s actions are driven by the interests of an unidentified third party seeking control of the Odesa port, including assets such as GNT Group and Sunolta.
The participants stated that ACP’s actions are inexplicable otherwise, as Sunolta has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in negotiations. However, the company cannot shoulder the full financial burden caused by the war, as doing so would lead to the collapse of the business and the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.
Sunolta announced its intention to file a lawsuit and approach several media outlets to counter what it describes as a "black PR campaign" orchestrated by ACP, emphasizing its commitment to protecting its reputation and ensuring its continued operations.
Representatives of the companies reported that the blocking of their operations at the Odesa port is causing daily losses of up to 750 000 UAH per company. These financial setbacks are severely impacting their ability to pay taxes to the state budget and salaries to employees, the speakers emphasized.
They claimed that detectives from BEB are not conducting any investigative or search activities as authorized. The company leaders stated that they had submitted formal complaints to the Office of the President, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the BEB, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Council for the Support of Entrepreneurship in Ukraine, urging action to resolve the situation.
