Amendment No. 10 to Schedule 13D

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 10)

 

 

 

 

OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY

“VIMPEL-COMMUNICATIONS”


(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, 0.005 rubles nominal value


(Title of Class of Securities)

 

 

68370R109


(CUSIP Number)

 

 

Franz Wolf

Eco Telecom Limited

Suite 2

4 Irish Place

Gibraltar

(350) 41977


(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

 

May 23, 2005


(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

With a Copy to:

 

Pavel Kulikov

OOO Alfa Telecom

21 Novy Arbat

121019 Moscow, Russia

(7-095) 981 4449

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e), 13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g), check the following box.  ¨

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).


CUSIP No. 68370R109    13D     

 

  1.  

Name of Reporting Person: I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only):

 

            Eco Telecom Limited    000-00-0000

   
  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group

a.  ¨

b.  x

   
  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
  4.  

Source of Funds

 

            AF; OO

   
  5.  

Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e).

 

            N/A

  ¨
  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization:

 

            Gibraltar

   

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

  7.    Sole Voting Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0


  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            12,563,782 Common Stock*

   
12.  

Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares:

 

 

¨

 

13.  

Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

            24.5% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            00; HC

   
* Eco Telecom is also the direct beneficial owner of 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock, which, together with the total number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock owned by Eco Telecom represents approximately 32.9% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.

 

2


CUSIP No. 68370R109    13D     

 

  1.  

Name of Reporting Person: I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only):

 

            Alfa Telecom Limited    000-00-0000

   
  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group

a.  ¨

b.  x

   
  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
  4.  

Source of Funds

 

            OO

   
  5.  

Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e):

 

  ¨
  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization:

 

            British Virgin Islands

   

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

  7.    Sole Voting Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0


  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            12,563,782 Common Stock*

   
12.  

Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares

 

 

¨

 

13.  

Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

            24.5 % of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            00; HC

   
* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock, which, together with the total number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock that the Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own, represents approximately 32.9% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.

 

3


CUSIP No. 68370R109    13D     

 

  1.  

Name of Reporting Person: I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only):

 

            CTF Holdings Limited    000-00-0000

   
  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group

a.  ¨

b.  x

   
  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
  4.  

Source of Funds

 

            AF; OO

   
  5.  

Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ¨
  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization:

 

            Gibraltar

   

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

  7.    Sole Voting Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0


  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            12,563,782 Common Stock*

   
12.  

Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares

 

 

¨

 

13.  

Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

            24.5% Common Stock

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            00; HC

   
* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock, which, together with the total number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock that the Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own, represents approximately 32.9% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.

 

4


CUSIP No. 68370R109    13D     

 

  1.  

Name of Reporting Person: I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Persons (Entities Only):

 

            Crown Finance Foundation    000-00-0000

   
  2.  

Check the Appropriate Box If a Member of a Group

a.  ¨

b.  x

   
  3.  

SEC Use Only

 

   
  4.  

Source of Funds

 

            AF; OO

   
  5.  

Check Box If Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)

 

  ¨
  6.  

Citizenship or Place of Organization:

 

            Liechtenstein

   

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned By

Each

Reporting

Person

With

 

  7.    Sole Voting Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0


  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                12,563,782 Common Stock*


10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            12,563,782 Common Stock*

   
12.  

Check Box If the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares

 

 

¨

 

13.  

Percent of Class Represented By Amount in Row (11)

 

            24.5% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            00

   
* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock, which, together with the total number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock that the Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own, represents approximately 32.9% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.

 

5


Item 1. Security and Issuer

 

This Amendment Number 10 (the “Amendment”) to the Statement on Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, 0.005 rubles nominal value (the “Common Stock”), of Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel-Communications” (“VimpelCom”), a Russian open joint stock company. The initial Statement on Schedule 13D as previously filed jointly by Eco Telecom Limited (“Eco Telecom”), Eco Holdings Limited, CTF Holdings Limited (“CTF Holdings”) and Crown Finance Foundation (“Crown Finance”) on June 11, 2001, as amended and supplemented by Amendment Numbers 1 through 9 (collectively, the “Statement”) is hereby amended and supplemented with respect to the items set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Statement.

 

Item 2. Identity and Background

 

This Amendment is being filed on behalf of each of the following persons (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”):

 

  (i) Eco Telecom;

 

  (ii) Alfa Telecom Limited (“Alfa Telecom”);

 

  (iii) CTF Holdings; and

 

  (iv) Crown Finance.

 

This Statement relates to the shares of Common Stock held for the account of Eco Telecom.

 

The Reporting Persons

 

Eco Telecom is a Gibraltar company, with its principal business address at 10/8 International Commercial Centre, Casemates Square, Gibraltar. The principal business of Eco Telecom is to function as a holding company. Current information concerning the identity and background of the directors and officers of Eco Telecom is set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 2.

 

Alfa Telecom is a British Virgin Islands company, with its principal address at P.O. Box 3339, Geneva Place, Second Floor, 333 Waterfront Drive, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The principal business of Alfa Telecom is to function as a holding company. Alfa Telecom is the sole shareholder of Eco Telecom and, in such capacity, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Common Stock held for the account of Eco Telecom. Current information concerning the identity and background of the directors and officers of Alfa Telecom is set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 2.

 

CTF Holdings is a Gibraltar limited liability company with its principal address at Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar. The principal business of CTF Holdings is to function as a holding company. CTF Holdings indirectly owns a majority of the shares of Alfa Telecom and, in such capacity, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Common Stock held for the account of Eco Telecom. Current information concerning the identity and background of the directors and officers of CTF Holdings is set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 2.

 

Crown Finance is a Liechtenstein foundation with its principal address at Am Schragen Weg 14, P.O. Box 1618, FL-9490, Vaduz, Liechtenstein. The principal business of Crown Finance is investment and management of the assets and capital of the foundation. Crown Finance is the sole shareholder of CTF Holdings and, in such capacity, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Common Stock held for the account of Eco Telecom. Current information concerning the identity and background of the directors and officers of Crown Finance is set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 2.

 

The “Supervisory Board” coordinates the strategic development of a group of affiliated entities, often referred to as the “Alfa Group Consortium,” which group includes the Reporting Persons. In certain instances, the Supervisory Board issues recommendations regarding strategic business decisions to the

 

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entities that are members of the Alfa Group Consortium. Current information regarding the identity and background of the members of the Supervisory Board is set forth in Annex A hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 2.

 

During the past five years, none of the Reporting Persons and, to the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge, no other person identified in response to this Item 2 has been (a) convicted in a criminal proceeding or (b) a party to any civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which it or he or she is subject to a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

 

Eco Telecom will obtain the funds to make subsequent purchases of VimpelCom Common Stock from the working capital of affiliates of Alfa Telecom.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction

 

Item 4 is hereby supplemented as follows:

 

On May 23rd, 2005, Eco Telecom filed an application with the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation (the “FAS”) in which Eco Telecom requested that the FAS approve an increase in Eco Telecom’s permitted ownership of voting capital stock of VimpelCom. As Eco Telecom would like to obtain control of VimpelCom, Eco Telecom has in such application, requested that the FAS grant Eco Telecom an approval to own up to 60% plus one share of the voting capital stock of VimpelCom. If granted, such approval will be effective for a period of twelve months from the date of grant.

 

While the Reporting Persons currently intend to gain control of VimpelCom they may, from time to time, and reserve the right to, change their plans or intentions and take any and all actions that they deem appropriate to maximize the value of their investment in VimpelCom. In order to maximize the value of their investment in VimpelCom, the Reporting Persons may, from time to time, consider, evaluate or propose various possible transactions involving VimpelCom or its subsidiaries or affiliates, which could include, among other things:

 

  (i) the possible acquisition of additional securities of VimpelCom from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including, without limitation, through entry into and exercise of call options or other derivative transactions;

 

  (ii) the possible acquisition or disposition of debt securities or other debt instruments of third parties, in each case, that are secured by, convertible into or exchangeable for securities of VimpelCom, and the enforcement of any such security interest or the exercise of any such exchange or conversion right;

 

  (iii) the possible disposition or exchange of any securities of VimpelCom owned by them;

 

  (iv) possible extraordinary corporate transactions (such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization or restructuring) involving VimpelCom or any of its subsidiaries, including with other telecommunication companies which may be affiliated with the Reporting Persons;

 

  (v) the possible acquisition by VimpelCom or its subsidiaries of assets or interests in one or more telecommunication companies, including other telecommunication companies which may be affiliated with the Reporting Persons, or the possible sale of assets or operations by VimpelCom or its subsidiaries;

 

  (vi) making or seeking to make changes in or affecting the Board of Directors or management of VimpelCom including, without limitation, the nomination and election of five out of the nine members of the Board of Directors of VimpelCom should Eco Telecom obtain 50% + 1 of the outstanding voting securities of VimpelCom.

 

  (vii) possible litigation involving VimpelCom, its Board of Directors and/or its management; or

 

  (viii) entering into and unwinding derivative transactions with respect to the securities of VimpelCom.

 

7


The Reporting Persons may also, from time to time, formulate other plans or proposals regarding VimpelCom or its securities to the extent deemed advisable in light of market conditions, subsequent developments affecting VimpelCom, the general business and future prospects of VimpelCom, tax considerations, or other factors.

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer

 

Item 5 is hereby supplemented as follows:

 

(a) No material change.

 

(b) No material change.

 

(c) To the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge, there have been no transactions effected with respect to shares of Common Stock during the past 60 days by any of the persons named in response to Item 2, other than the transactions described in this Amendment.

 

(d) No material change.

 

(e) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

 

No material change.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

The Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

 

8


SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this Statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: May 26, 2005

  ECO TELECOM LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Pavel Kulikov


        Pavel Kulikov
        Attorney-in-Fact

Date: May 26, 2005

  ALFA TELECOM LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Franz Wolf


        Franz Wolf
        Director

Date: May 26, 2005

  CTF HOLDINGS LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Franz Wolf


        Franz Wolf
        Director

Date: May 26, 2005

  CROWN FINANCE FOUNDATION
    By:  

/s/ Franz Wolf


        Franz Wolf
        Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

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ANNEX A

 

Directors and Officers of Eco Telecom Limited

 

Name/Title/Citizenship


 

Principal Occupation


 

Business Address


Pavel Volitskiy, Director (Russia)   Manager, CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of Alfa Telecom Limited

 

Name/Title/Citizenship


 

Principal Occupation


 

Business Address


Geoffrey Piers Hemy, Director

(United Kingdom)

  Director, Grand Financial Holding S.A.  

11 Boulevard Royale, L-2449

Luxembourg

Georgia Karydes, Director (Cypriot)  

Director, Feldmans Management

(Overseas) Ltd.

 

6, Nikou Georgiou street, Block C,

office 704, Nicosia 1098, Cyprus

Alla Kudryavtseva, Director (Russia)   Director of CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar
Pavel Volitskiy, Director (Russia)   Manager, CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar
Franz Wolf, Director (Germany)   Director of CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of CTF Holdings Limited

 

Name/Title/Citizenship


 

Principal Occupation


 

Business Address


Alla Kudryavtseva, Director (Russia)   Director of CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar
Franz Wolf, Director (Germany)   Director of CTF Holdings Limited   Suite 2, 4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of Crown Finance Foundation

 

Name/Title/Citizenship


 

Principal Occupation


 

Business Address


Christian Rosenov, Director (Switzerland)   Financial Adviser  

Talacker 35, 8001

Zurich, Switzerland

Dr. Norbert Seeger, Director,

(Liechtenstein)

  Attorney, Arcomm Trust Company  

Am Schragen Weg 14,

P.O. Box 1618 FL-9490

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Dr. Christian Zangerle, Director, (Austria)  

Attorney, Law Office of Dr.

Norbert Seeger

 

Am Schragen Weg 14,

P.O. Box 1618 FL-9490

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

 

10


Directors of the Supervisory Board of Alfa Group Consortium

 

Name/Title/Citizenship


 

Principal Occupation


 

Business Address


Peter Aven, Director (Russia)   President of OJSC Alfa Bank  

11 Mashy Poryvaevoy Street

107078 Moscow, Russia

Alexandr Fain, Director (Russia)  

Chief Executive Officer of LLC

Alfa Eco

 

21 Novy Arbat Street

121019 Moscow, Russia

Mikhail Fridman, Director (Russia)  

Chairman of the Board of Directors of OJSC

Alfa Bank

 

9 Mashy Poryvayevoy Street

107078 Moscow, Russia

Michail Gamzin, Director (Russia)   Director General, OAO Russian Technologies  

3rd Golutvinsky Pereulok,

10 Building 6

109180 Moscow, Russia

German Khan, Director (Russia)   Executive Director of TNK-BP Management  

18/2, Schipok Street

115093 Moscow, Russia

Alexander Kosiyanenko, Director (Russia)   Chief Executive Officer of JSC Perekrestok  

14817 Moscow Region

District of Mytischy

Paveltsevo Village, Russia

Alexey Kuzmichev, Director (Russia)   Chairman of Board of Directors of Alfa Eco Group  

21 Novy Arbat Street

121019 Moscow, Russia

Nigel John Robinson, Director

(United Kingdom)

  Director of Corporate Development, Finance and Control for Alfa Group  

6 Sechenovskiy Pereulok, Building

#3, Floor #3

119034 Moscow, Russia

Alexei Reznikovich, Director (Russia)   Director for Asset Management and Control, Alfa Group  

6 Sechenovskiy Pereulok, Building

#3, Floor #3

119034 Moscow, Russia

Alexander Savin, Director (Russia)   Chief Executive Officer, Alfa Eco Group  

12 Krasnopresenskaya Nab.

World Trade Center 2, Entrance 7

123610 Moscow, Russia

 

To the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge:

 

(a) None of the above persons hold any Shares.

 

(b) None of the above persons has any contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships with respect to the Shares.

 

11


Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit 24.1   A conformed copy of the Power of Attorney authorizing Pavel Kulikov to sign this Amendment on behalf of Eco Telecom Limited, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 24.2 to Amendment Number 3 to the Statement on Schedule 13D filed by Eco Telecom Limited, inter alios, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 05, 2002
Exhibit 24.2   A conformed copy of the Power of Attorney authorizing Franz Wolf to sign this amendment on behalf of Crown Finance Foundation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 24.1 to Amendment Number 7 to the Statement on Schedule 13D filed by Eco Telecom Limited, inter alios, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2004
Exhibit 99.1   A conformed copy of the joint filing agreement by and among the Reporting Persons, inter alios, dated August 19, 2004, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment Number 7 to the Statement on Schedule 13D filed by the Reporting Persons, inter alios, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2004

 

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