The businessman said that he did not want to be considered an oligarch and called the step forced.
The richest Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov gave up his media business in favor of the state. We are talking about the transfer to the state of the assets of “Media Group Ukraine”, in particular the TV channels “Ukraine” and “Ukraine 24”. Akhmetov's SCM holding company published the corresponding statement of the businessman.
“I made a forced decision to exit my investment company SCM from the media business. This week, Media Group Ukraine will give up all broadcast and satellite television licenses of our channels and licenses of our print media in Ukraine in favor of the state. We will also stop the activities of the MSU online media,” Akhmetov said in a statement.
Akhmetov noted that the decision was dictated by the entry into force of the law “On Prevention of Threats to National Security Associated with Excessive Influence of Individuals, which have significant economic and political weight in public life (oligarchs)”.
“As the largest private investor in the economy of Ukraine, I have repeatedly said that I was not, am not and will not be an oligarch. The short six-month period defined by the law for the sale of media assets and the Russian military aggression against Ukraine do not give SCM the opportunity to sell the media business on market terms,” he explained his move.
Akhmetov noted that during the 20 years of the holding's existence, the total volume of investments in it exceeded 1.5 billion US dollars.
“But the biggest investment is the contribution of each of the 4,000 journalists and employees of our media team. … Therefore, it is difficult for me to make a decision about exiting the media business,” he added.
Read also: Part of the oligarchs actively helps Ukraine to fight with Russia – Danilov
We remind you that on June 29, President Volodymyr Zelenskyi implemented the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the register of oligarchs, the procedure for its formation and management.
Previously Yulia Samaeva >in his article for ZN.UA “The Law on oligarchs has been adopted. What he talks about and what he is silent about” analyzed the approved text of the document, its ability to influence oligarchs and the real motives for adopting this law.
See special topic: By the end of the war, there may be no oligarchs in Ukraine – ShulyakThe head of the “Servant of the People” party is sure that as a result, Ukraine will be able to separate politics and business in a civilized manner, without resorting to “decentralization”. Zelensky stayed in the same hotel as Kolomoisky in Bukovel – mass media The oligarch says he “doesn't plan” to meet the president. Groysman on de-oligarchization: there is a struggle for who will be the oligarch closest to power President Zelensky had all the tools for a real fight against monopolies. Selective de-oligarchization: The Washington Times criticized Zelensky for the war with Akhmetov amid the lack of energy reserves Zelensky is afraid of losing the next presidential election. The former comedian made weak progress with reforms and the fight against oligarchs, as he promised during his election campaign, the author emphasizes. Zelensky signed the law on oligarchs The President's Office says that the law “gives big business enough time to adapt and abandon the practices of the old oligarchic system.”
