SBU investigates the work of Adidas, Puma and DHL in the Crimea
The Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea is conducting investigations for criminal proceedings regarding possible work by German companies DHL Express, Adidas and Puma on the annexed peninsula, as stated in an SBU response to a request by Krym.Realii.
"We report that the findings of the Ministry on matters of the temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons of Ukraine regarding the possible carrying out of sales-oriented business activities by German companies DHL Express, Adidas, Puma in the temporarily occupied territory of the Crimea have been added to record for criminal proceedings, the pre-trial investigation of which is being carried out by the Investigation Department of the SBU in the Crimea. Investigative activities are in progress," the document says.
The department added that the details of the pre-trial investigation remain confidential under article 222 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud with financial resources).
On December 6, 2017, the Ukrainian Ministry of Temporary Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons reported illegal activity by German companies DHL Express, Adidas and Puma in the annexed Crimea. As evidence of their accusations, the Ministry included addresses of stores and representative offices of the listed companies located in the annexed Crimea.
The German companies Volkswagen and Adidas rejected claims that their retailers work in Russian-annexed Crimea. There have been no public comments on this matter.