VimpelCom announces investigations

Amsterdam (March 12, 2014) - “VimpelCom Ltd.” (“VimpelCom”, “Company” or “Group”) (NASDAQ: VIP), announces that on March 11, 2014, the Company received from the staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission a letter stating that they are conducting an investigation related to VimpelCom and requesting documents.   Also, on March 11, 2014, the Company’s headquarter in Amsterdam was visited by representatives of the Dutch authorities, including the Dutch public prosecutor office, who obtained documents and informed the Company that it was the focus of a criminal investigation in the Netherlands.  The investigations appear to be concerned with the Company’s operations in Uzbekistan.  The Company intends to fully cooperate with these investigations.    

Disclaimer

This press release contains “forward-looking statements”, as the phrase is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to the investigations that appear to be concerned with the Company’s operations in Uzbekistan.  Certain issues relating to our operations in Uzbekistan were disclosed in our last annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 (“Form 20-F”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on management’s best assessments of the current situation. The actual outcome may differ materially from these statements. There can be no assurance that such investigations will not be broader in scope than they currently appear and will not result in consequences that may have a material adverse effect on the Company. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statements include the risk factors described in the Company’s Form 20-F and other public filings made by the Company with the SEC, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.

About VimpelCom

VimpelCom is one of the world’s largest integrated telecommunications services operators providing voice and data services through a range of traditional and broadband mobile and fixed technologies in Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Algeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Central African Republic  and Canada. VimpelCom’s operations around the globe cover territory with a total population of approximately 753 million people. VimpelCom provides services under the "Beeline", "Kyivstar", "djuice", “WIND”, "Infostrada" “Mobilink”, “Leo”, “banglalink”, “Telecel”, and “Djezzy” brands. As of December 31, 2013 VimpelCom had 220 million mobile subscribers on a combined basis. VimpelCom is traded on the NASDAQ Global Stock Market under the symbol (VIP). For more information visit:  http://www.vimpelcom.com

Contact information