HRD Antwerp corporate statement regarding the deliberate provision of incorrect diamond certificates by employees in 2012.

Last week, the Correctional Court of Antwerp delivered a verdict in  regards a case concerning the deliberate provision of incorrect diamond   certificates by employees in 2012. Following the verdict,  the Court    imposed severe sanctions on the involved parties including effective  incarceration, forfeiture of certain rights and substantial financial  penalties and compensations.  At the start of the process in 2012, HRD Antwerp and parent company   AWDC both have declared themselves civil party due to significant   reputational damage. Throughout this case, HRD Antwerp has had  full confidence in the investigation by the prosecutor's office but has  never been directly involved. The involved diamond companies and their representatives have  since been declared persona non grata and are no longer customers  at HRD Antwerp. The involved employees where immediately fired  due to severe professional errors. “HRD Antwerp fully supports the recent ruling of the Court in regards  this unfortunate case. It’s extremely important such violations do not  remain without consequences. The imposed sanctions are therefore  a strong signal towards the industry that such practices are not tolerated.  We like to thank our customers for their loyalty and confidence despite  this isolated case” says Peter Macken, CEO HRD Antwerp.