Kumtor Operating Company asks to forbear from dissemination of false information

published: 24 April 2012

In response to claims made by representatives of the movements Yntymak and Kyrgyzstan Jashtar Keneshi at the news conference on April 23, 2012, to the effect that a KOC driver had been involved in a road accident in Ton district on March 27, 2012, and one KOC employee was guilty of another accident that had occurred in Bishkek on March 20, 2012, the Company has the following statement to make:

• neither Kumtor Operating Company nor anyone of its employees have anything to do with the road accident that took place in Ton district on March 27, 2012. It was a vehicle owned by CrossInk JSC that was involved in the said road accident. Even though CrossInk JSC is under a contractor’s agreement with our Company, Kumtor Operating Company cannot be held answerable for acts of third persons, according to the Kyrgyz law. Therefore, all matters relating to compensation due to the accident victims are subject to CrossInk management;

• as regards the road accident involving a Ford owned by Kumtor Operating Company, it did happen in Bishkek on March 20, 2012, at the intersection of streets Bokonbayeva and Panfilova. However, the investigation carried out by the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic and a Commission of State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of City Internal Affairs Directorate of Bishkek made it categorically clear that the KOC car was damaged by the BMW driver, S.Turganbayev, who was found guilty of violating traffic rules. As a person responsible for the road accident he was fined and is now required to offset losses. Therefore, the Company regards any claims that KOC should pay compensation to Mr Turganbayev as unreasonable.

Kumtor Operating Company asks strongly all public associations not to rest the role of law enforcement and judicial bodies and not to forbear from distorting facts and misleading the public. The Company has always observed closely the rules and regulations of the Kyrgyz law. The ultimatum-like pronouncements voiced by public movement representatives urging imposition of “all legal and illegal sanctions” are regarded by KOC as blackmail and an explicit threat to KOC’s employees and property. Therefore, the Company reserves the right to go to the law.

For further information please contact Media Relations, KOC