You're reading: SUP condemns use of force against business by state

The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) condemns any desire of the state to block operation and development of Ukrainian companies using force, according to a SUP statement issued on August 23.

“We are alarmed over the trend of frightening business using uncivilized methods and force. Raids and the blocking of operations of innovative companies in Ukraine, companies with an international reputation, tarnish the image of the Ukrainian business both inside the country and among potential international investors,” SUP said.

The organization said that any claims of supervision and law enforcement agencies against owners and directors of business projects in Ukraine should be solved in a civilized manner.

“We urge agencies responsible for hindering lawful operations of Ukrainian companies to leave Soviet penal methods of communicating with businessmen in the past and switch to open and public cooperation,” SUP said.

The organization calls on business owners to urgently inform the corporate security and business protection committee of SUP about groundless actions of public and enforcement agencies, violation of businessmen’s rights to free implementation of their projects: unjustifiable inspections, blocking of operation, unlawful raids, corrupted demands and other things.

On August 22, Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office seized documents in the office of Uarms LLC (Kyiv), which belongs to the founder of Kvazar-Micro (KM Core holding) and famous venture businessman Evgeni Utkin, in the case on purchase of SAP software in 2012 by Naftogaz Ukrainy’s subsidiary Ukrgazvydobuvannia.