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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Authorities raid Ukraine gas firm | Authorities raid Ukraine gas firm |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Ukrainian national security service agents have raided the head office of the state energy firm Naftogaz in Kiev. | Ukrainian national security service agents have raided the head office of the state energy firm Naftogaz in Kiev. |
| The raid by armed agents was linked to an investigation into the alleged diversion of gas worth $880m (£620m), a spokeswoman told the Associated Press. | The raid by armed agents was linked to an investigation into the alleged diversion of gas worth $880m (£620m), a spokeswoman told the Associated Press. |
| Earlier, a Naftogaz spokesman said armed men were on the building's third floor, near a deputy director's office. | Earlier, a Naftogaz spokesman said armed men were on the building's third floor, near a deputy director's office. |
| Naftogaz was at the heart of a dispute with Russia in January that led to gas shortages for millions across Europe. | Naftogaz was at the heart of a dispute with Russia in January that led to gas shortages for millions across Europe. |
| Russia's state gas firm, Gazprom, suspended gas supplies to Ukraine for two weeks until Ukraine's government and Naftogaz agreed prices at which they would buy Russian gas, and ship it to Europe. | Russia's state gas firm, Gazprom, suspended gas supplies to Ukraine for two weeks until Ukraine's government and Naftogaz agreed prices at which they would buy Russian gas, and ship it to Europe. |
| 'Contracts' | 'Contracts' |
| Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) spokeswoman Marina Ostapenko confirmed that SBU agents had raided Naftogaz's headquarters as part of a "standard" criminal investigation launched earlier this week. | Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) spokeswoman Marina Ostapenko confirmed that SBU agents had raided Naftogaz's headquarters as part of a "standard" criminal investigation launched earlier this week. |
| She insisted the company had been informed in advance that investigators would be taking documents, and that the action was "all within the framework of the law". | She insisted the company had been informed in advance that investigators would be taking documents, and that the action was "all within the framework of the law". |
| A standard investigation is now proceeding. Why make such a fuss? Marina OstapenkoSecurity Service of Ukraine (SBU) | A standard investigation is now proceeding. Why make such a fuss? Marina OstapenkoSecurity Service of Ukraine (SBU) |
| Naftogaz spokesman Valentyn Zemlyansky had initially told reporters that he feared a group of armed men might be attempting to seize control of the company. | Naftogaz spokesman Valentyn Zemlyansky had initially told reporters that he feared a group of armed men might be attempting to seize control of the company. |
| He said they had pushed aside security personnel without showing any identification and had taken up positions outside the office of deputy director Igor Didenko. | He said they had pushed aside security personnel without showing any identification and had taken up positions outside the office of deputy director Igor Didenko. |
| Ms Ostapenko told the Associated Press that the raid was in connection with an inquiry into the alleged diversion of gas worth around 7.4bn hryvna ($880m). | Ms Ostapenko told the Associated Press that the raid was in connection with an inquiry into the alleged diversion of gas worth around 7.4bn hryvna ($880m). |
| Later, the head of Naftogaz's legal department said the SBU agents were "expecting to come away with the original documents signed between Naftogaz and Gazprom in January and Moscow", which ended the dispute over gas prices. | Later, the head of Naftogaz's legal department said the SBU agents were "expecting to come away with the original documents signed between Naftogaz and Gazprom in January and Moscow", which ended the dispute over gas prices. |
| "If we don't have these contracts, then Naftogaz cannot bring the gas through customs or the transit of gas. It cannot carry out its obligations under these contracts," Serhiy Davydenko told the Reuters news agency. | "If we don't have these contracts, then Naftogaz cannot bring the gas through customs or the transit of gas. It cannot carry out its obligations under these contracts," Serhiy Davydenko told the Reuters news agency. |
| The contracts were signed on 18 January after negotiations led by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The deal was sharply criticised at the time by her ally-turned-rival, President Viktor Yushchenko. | The contracts were signed on 18 January after negotiations led by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The deal was sharply criticised at the time by her ally-turned-rival, President Viktor Yushchenko. |
| Correspondents say the SBU is overseen by the president. |