Amendment No. 34 to Schedule 13D

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 34)*

 

 

 

OPEN JOINT STOCK COMPANY

“VIMPEL-COMMUNICATIONS”

(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, nominal value 0.005 rubles per share

(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)

 

 

November 8, 2007

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

With a copy to:

Alexey Reznikovich

Altimo Holdings & Investments Limited

Str. Novy Arbat, build. 21

GSP-2

119992 Moscow, Russia

+7 (495) 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 §240.13d-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 (the “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).


  1.  

Name of Reporting Persons

I.R.S. Identification Nos. 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 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

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0

 

  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

   
12.  

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

 

  ¨
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

            37.0% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            OO, HC

   

 

* Eco Telecom is also the direct beneficial owner of 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”), which, together with the total number of shares of the Issuer’s common stock owned by Eco Telecom, represents approximately 44.0001% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.


  1.  

Name of Reporting Persons

I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only)

 

            Altimo Holdings & Investments 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 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

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0

 

  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

   
12.  

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

 

  ¨
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

            37.0% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            OO, HC

   

 

* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock (the “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 44.0001% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.


  1.  

Name of Reporting Persons

I.R.S. Identification Nos. 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 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

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0

 

  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

   
12.  

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

 

  ¨
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

            37.0% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            OO, HC

   

 

* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock (the “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 44.0001% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.


  1.  

Name of Reporting Persons

I.R.S. Identification Nos. 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 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

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

  8.    Shared Voting Power

 

                0

 

  9.    Sole Dispositive Power

 

                18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

 

10.    Shared Dispositive Power

 

                0

11.  

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

            18,964,799 shares of Common Stock*

   
12.  

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

 

  ¨
13.  

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

 

            37.0% of Common Stock*

   
14.  

Type of Reporting Person

 

            OO

   

 

* The Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own 6,426,600 (100%) shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock (the “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 44.0001% of the Issuer’s outstanding voting capital stock. See Item 5.


Item 1. Security and Issuer.

This Amendment No. 34 (this “Amendment”) to the Statement on Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, nominal value 0.005 rubles per share (the “Common Stock”), of Open Joint Stock Company “Vimpel-Communications” (“VimpelCom”). The initial Statement on Schedule 13D, 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 Nos. 1 through 33, the “Statement”), is hereby amended and supplemented with respect to the items set forth in this Amendment. 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 (each, a “Reporting Person” and, collectively, the “Reporting Persons”):

 

  (i) Eco Telecom;

 

  (ii) Altimo Holdings & Investments Limited (formerly known as Alfa Telecom Limited) (“Altimo”);

 

  (iii) CTF Holdings; and

 

  (iv) Crown Finance.

The Statement, as amended hereby, 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.

Altimo 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 Altimo is to function as a holding company. Altimo is the sole shareholder of Eco Telecom and, in such capacity, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock held for the account of Eco Telecom. Current information concerning the identity and background of the directors and officers of Altimo 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 Altimo and, in such capacity, may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of 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 shares of 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 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 or a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or 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.

No material change.

 

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby supplemented as follows:

Eco Telecom agreed to issue $500,000,000 Series B Floating Rate Bonds due May 13, 2009 (the “Bonds”) on November 13, 2007, pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2007 (the “Indenture”), by and among Eco Telecom, as Issuer, Altimo, as Guarantor, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, as Calculation Agent, and Equity Trust Services (UK) Limited, as Trustee. The Bonds are to be sold to Deutsche Bank AG London Branch as purchaser in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Eco Telecom’s obligations under the Bonds and the Indenture are guaranteed by Altimo. Pursuant to a Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2007 (the “Collateral Agreement”), by and among Eco Telecom, The Bank of New York, as Securities Intermediary (the “Securities Intermediary”), Equity Trust Services (UK) Limited, as Collateral Agent (the “Collateral Agent”) and as Trustee, Eco Telecom granted to the Collateral Agent a security interest in 3,213,783 shares of Common Stock or security entitlements in respect thereof (the “VIP Common Stock”), 6,426,600 shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) and 128,020,325 American Depositary Receipts of VimpelCom (the “VimpelCom ADRs” and, together with the VIP Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, the “Pledged Securities”) to secure the performance of its obligations under the Bonds and the Indenture. The Pledged Securities constituted Escrowed Shares as defined in the Reporting Persons’ Amendment 30 to Schedule 13D. The Pledged Securities are to be transferred from the escrow account described in the Reporting Persons’ Amendment 30 to Schedule 13D and deposited into the collateral account created under the Collateral Agreement. As a result, the Escrow Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2007 (the “Escrow Agreement”), among Eco Telecom, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, as Collateral Agent, Altimo and The Bank of New York, as Escrow Agent, has been amended as of November 8, 2007, to allow for further shares acquired by Eco Telecom or affiliate to be deposited into the escrow account created thereunder. In addition, on November 8, 2007, an amendment to permit the cash margining arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and the payments due with respect to the Bonds was made by way of a Supplemental Indenture to the Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2007, by and among Eco Telecom, as Issuer, Altimo, as Guarantor, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, as Calculation Agent, and Deutsche International Corporate Trust Services, as Trustee.

Pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, on or about November 13, 2007, Eco Telecom will cause the Pledged Securities to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, and the Pledged Securities will be held during the term of the Collateral Agreement by the Securities Intermediary through a nominee. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, as defined in the Collateral Agreement, the Collateral Agent may exercise on behalf of the Trustee all the rights of a secured party under the New York Uniform Commercial Code and may sell the collateral at public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery. The Collateral Agreement will terminate upon fulfillment of all of the obligations of Eco Telecom under the Indenture, the Bonds and the Collateral Agreement.

Eco Telecom will be entitled to exercise all voting and other rights attaching to the Pledged Securities unless an Event of Default (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) has occurred and is continuing.

The description of the Indenture, Collateral Agreement, Amendment No. 1 to the Escrow Agreement and the Supplemental Indenture contained in this Item 4 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of these agreements filed as Exhibits hereto.

 

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Item 5 is hereby supplemented as follows:

(a) Each of the Reporting Persons may be deemed to be the direct or indirect beneficial owner of an aggregate of 6,426,600 shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock, representing 100% of such class of securities, and an aggregate of 18,964,799 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock. Approximately 6,401,016 shares of such Common Stock would be represented by 128,020,325 VimpelCom ADRs. The change in VimpleCom ADRs since the Reporting Persons’ Amendment 33 to Schedule 13D is the result of the Issuer making a ratio change from four VimpelCom ADRs for one share of Common Stock to 20 VimpelCom ADRs for one share of Common Stock, effective August 21, 2007.

(b) Each of the Reporting Persons may be deemed to have sole voting power to direct the voting and disposition of an aggregate of 18,964,799 shares of Common Stock, which number would include Common Stock represented by approximately 128,020,325 VimpelCom ADRs, and an aggregate of 6,426,600 shares of the Issuer’s type-A voting preferred stock held for the account of Eco Telecom. The change in VimpleCom ADRs since the Reporting Persons’ Amendment 33 to Schedule 13D is the result of the Issuer making a ratio change from four VimpelCom ADRs for one share of Common Stock to 20 VimpelCom ADRs for one share of Common Stock, effective August 21, 2007.


(c) No material change.

(d) No material change.

(e) Not applicable.

 

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

Item 6 is hereby supplemented with the information reported in response to Item 4 hereto, which is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 6.

 

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

The Index of Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.


SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information in this Amendment is true, complete and correct.

 

Date: November 8, 2007     ECO TELECOM LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Marina Kushnareva

    Name:   Marina Kushnareva
    Title:   Director
Date: November 8, 2007     ALTIMO HOLDINGS & INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Franz Wolf

    Name:   Franz Wolf
    Title:   Director
Date: November 8, 2007     CTF HOLDINGS LIMITED
    By:  

/s/ Franz Wolf

    Name:   Franz Wolf
    Title:   Director
Date: November 8, 2007     CROWN HOLDINGS LIMITED
   

By:

 

/s/ Franz Wolf

    Name:   Franz Wolf
    Title:   Attorney-in-Fact


ANNEX A

Directors and Officers of Eco Telecom Limited

 

Name/Citizenship

 

Principal Occupation

 

Business Address

Marina Kushnareva,

Director (Russia)

  Manager, CTF Holdings Limited  

Suite 2

4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of Altimo Holdings & Investments Limited

Name/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 (Cyprus)

 

Director, Feldmans

Management (Overseas) Ltd.

 

6 Nikou Georgiou Street

Block C, Office 704

Nicosia 1098, Cyprus

Olga Kichatova,

Director (Russia)

 

Senior Financial Advisor, CTF Holdings Limited

 

3rd Floor, building 3, 6 Sechenovskiy per. Moscow

Russia

109 034

Alexey Reznikovich,

Chief Executive Officer (Russia)

 

Chief Executive Officer,

OOO ALTIMO Limited

 

Str. Novy Arbat, build. 21

GSP-2

119992 Moscow, Russia

Marina Kushnareva,

Director (Russia)

  Director, CTF Holdings Limited  

Suite 2

4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

Franz Wolf,

Director (Germany)

  Director, CTF Holdings Limited  

Suite 2

4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of CTF Holdings Limited

Name/Citizenship

 

Principal Occupation

 

Business Address

Marina Kushnareva,

Director (Russia)

  Director, CTF Holdings Limited  

Suite 2

4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

Franz Wolf,

Director (Germany)

  Director, CTF Holdings Limited  

Suite 2

4 Irish Place, Gibraltar

 

Directors and Officers of Crown Finance Foundation

Name/Citizenship

 

Principal Occupation

 

Business Address

Christian Rosenow,

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

 

Members of the Supervisory Board of Alfa Group Consortium

Name/Citizenship

 

Principal Occupation

 

Business Address

Peter Aven,

Director (Russia)

  President, OJSC Alfa Bank  

11 Mashy Poryvaevoy Street

107078 Moscow, Russia


Alexandr Fain,

Director (Russia)

 

Chief Executive Officer,

Alfa Eco LLC

 

21 Novy Arbat Street

121019 Moscow, Russia

Mikhail Fridman,

Director (Russia)

 

Chairman of the Board of

Directors, OJSC Alfa Bank

 

9 Mashy Poryvayevoy Street

107078 Moscow, Russia

Michail Gamzin,

Director (Russia)

 

Director General,

OAO Russian Technologies

 

3 rd Golutvinsky Pereulok

10 Building 6

109180 Moscow, Russia

German Khan,

Director (Russia)

 

Executive Director,

TNK-BP Management

 

18/2, Schipok Street

115093 Moscow, Russia

Lev Khasis,

Director (Russia)

 

Chief Executive Officer,

X 5 Retail Group N.V.

 

Kapranova Pereulok 3

123242 Moscow, Russia

Alexander Kosiyanenko,

Director (Russia)

 

Member of the Supervisory

Board of X 5 Retail Group N.V.

 

Apt. 421 Mozhayskoye shosse 2, B

121356 Moscow, Russia

Andrei Kosogov

Director (Russia)

 

Chairman of the Board of

Directors of Alfa Asset

Management

 

12 Prospect Academic Sakharov

107078 Moscow, Russia

Alexey Kuzmichev,

Director (Russia)

 

Chairman of Board of Directors,

Alfa Eco LLC

 

21 Novy Arbat Street

121019 Moscow, Russia

Nigel John Robinson,

Director (United Kingdom)

 

Director of Corporate Development, Finance and Control,

Alfa Group Consortium

 

6 Sechenovskiy Pereulok

Building 3, Floor 3

119034 Moscow, Russia

Alexey Reznikovich,

Director (Russia)

 

Chief Executive Officer,

OOO ALTIMO Limited

 

Str. Novy Arbat, build. 21

GSP-2

119992 Moscow, Russia

Alexander Savin,

Director (Russia)

 

Managing Director,

A1 LLC

 

12 Krasnopresenskaya Nab.

International Trade Center 2,

Entrance 7

123610 Moscow, Russia

To the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge:

 

  (a) None of the above persons holds any shares of Common Stock.

 

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


Index of Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1

   Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2007, by and among Eco Telecom Limited, Altimo Holdings & Investments Limited, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, Equity Trust Services (UK) Limited and acknowledged and agreed by Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited.

Exhibit 99.2

   Collateral Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2007, by and among Eco Telecom Limited, The Bank of New York, Equity Trust Services (UK) Limited and agreed and acknowledged by Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited.

Exhibit 99.3

   Amendment No. 1 to Escrow Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2007, by and among Eco Telecom Limited, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, Altimo Holdings & Investments and The Bank of New York.

Exhibit 99.4

   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2007 to the Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2007, by and among Eco Telecom Limited, Altimo Holdings & Investments Limited, Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, and Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited.