A court marshal accompanied by about 15 armed men in uniform visited? Telenor 's? Moscow ? office Friday to hand over a request for information, the Norwegian group said.
"We consider it an effort to pressure? Telenor ? during the continued dispute between VimpelCom shareholders," a spokeswoman said, adding that such requests are typically sent by mail.
The information requested was regarding whether? Telenor ? will exercise an option to buy an additional 3.5 percent stake in VimpelCom from Egyptian tycoon Naguib Sawiris ' holding company Weather.
The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service ? brought a lawsuit against? Telenor ? earlier this year in which it alleged that a purchase of VimpelCom shares that? Telenor made in February violated the Strategic Investment Act.
In February,? Telenor ? raised its voting stake in VimpelCom to 36.3 percent from 25 percent after buying shares from Weather.? Telenor ? increased its stake further, to 39.51 percent, in April.
RIA -Novosti reported that the head of the monopoly watchdog,? Igor Artemyev , said Wednesday that a resolution was needed by Oct. 1, the expiration date of an option under which? Telenor ? may buy the extra shares.
The marshal's office was not available to comment.
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