ASCOM Group suspends operations in Moldova following riots

April 12, 2009

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ASCOM Group, the biggest company in Moldova, has suspended its operations in the republic.

In a press release published on Saturday, April 11, the ASCOM's head, Anatol Stati, said that the company is moving to its office abroad.

Earlier, sources close to the company's management reported that this decision was made because of the latest developments in the country.

"I was indignant over irresponsible statements made recently by activists and allies of the Communist authorities in Chisinau about ASCOM and the Stati family allegedly participating in political processes and the campaign in Moldova. They went as far as arresting my son Gabriel, a businessman, and accusing him of having been present at the Great National Assembly Square on 6 April, taken part in demonstrations and prepared a coup d'etat," the company's head said in a press release.

He called on the authorities in Ukraine, where his son had been arrested, not to hand his son over to the Moldovan authorities until an impartial and independent investigation is held.

As reported earlier that last week Stati's son Gabriel was detained in Odessa. The Moldovan authorities accused him of funding protests in central Chisinau.