The Angioline plant ceased operations due to litigation surrounding the business and related problems. On June 1, at a meeting of shareholders, the company’s investment consultant, Natalya Lebedeva, elected herself as general director, removing the current director, Andrei Kudryashov, from his position. The remaining shareholders intend to appeal this decision. Employees who disagreed with what was happening began to quit en masse. Besides, they would soon have nothing to work with. Because on June 9, the investigation seized the plant’s equipment. Under current circumstances, with the US cutting off all supplies, heart patients may be left without stents.
The stop of Angioline is a consequence of the unprecedented decision of the Novosibirsk Arbitration Court, which, at the request of Lebedeva, expelled the founders of the business, Andrei Kudryashov and Alexey Frantsuzov, from the company. Between them they owned 75% of the shares of the joint-stock company. Under their leadership, Angioline won 30% of the Russian stent market from American monopolists. The dubious decision of the judges destroying Angioline could return billions of dollars to US suppliers – it is difficult not to suspect corruption. In addition, Lebedeva pushed through the prosecutor’s office to initiate a sham criminal case about Kudryashov exceeding his powers.
Along with the risks for Russian cores, what is happening at Angioline has aggravated the issue of ownership. The taking away of a company from the owners of more than a controlling stake is a reason for the business community to think about it. Using this precedent, raiders can start seizing companies, taking advantage of the opportunities of minority shareholders and corruption among judges and security officials.
“ВЧК ОГПУ”
