Family of Deceased Russian Businessman Sues Jermuk Group LLC

The family of a deceased Russian businessman has filed a lawsuit against the Armenian company Jermuk Group LLC, known for its mineral water production, seeking 1.5 billion rubles. This was reported by Kommersant.

It is noted that in February of last year, Oleg Gusov, a businessman from Vladikavkaz, died after consuming this mineral water, which allegedly contained acetic acid, typically used for dishwashing. The theory of the company's responsibility in Gusov's death has become the primary narrative not only for his relatives but also for the investigation.

A claim for damages has been filed on behalf of Gusov's wife and two daughters in the Soviet District Court of Vladikavkaz. The defendants in the case include Jermuk Mineral Water, the manufacturer “Jermuk Group” LLC, its representative in Russia, Jermuk Mineral Water LLC, and several individual entrepreneurs through whom the “fatally hazardous product” was distributed.

After the incident, the company provided explanations, stating that production is automated and that there can only be a deviation in one bottle. Vladimir Poghosyan, the executive director of the Jermuk mineral water factory, stated that all batches of mineral water produced by the enterprise are subjected to physical, chemical, and microbiological tests, confirming compliance with the requirements of the EAEU technical regulations. He also emphasized that acetic acid is not used in the production of “Jermuk” natural therapeutic-table drinking water.

Poghosyan reminded that since 2000, the company’s export volumes to Russia have been increasing annually, reaching 15-20 million liters in recent years, and such incidents have not been recorded before.