Altai beer maker asks Putin to hand it Coca-Cola’s former Russian business

Bochkari, an Altai-based beer and soft drinks producer, has asked Vladimir Putin to place the former Coca-Cola bottler Multon and Multon Partners under its external management. The proposal could shift control of one of Russia’s largest soft drinks businesses, as authorities have previously transferred Western companies’ assets to temporary management.

The request was submitted in October and forwarded to the government, with some deputy prime ministers reportedly backing it. Multon said its local team runs the business and that it had received no notice of a change. After reports of the proposal, shares in Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company fell nearly 19% to £54 on the London Stock Exchange. Multon now sells Russian brands including Dobry, Rich and Pulpy.