Soco has been informed of the disturbing news that the Chief Warden of the Virunga National Park, Emmanuel De Merode was seriously injured yesterday in a reported ambush north of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Soco condemns this attack and expresses its deepest sympathy and concern for Mr De Merode. Soco is aware of the deep respect held for Mr De Merode internationally and within the DRC. Soco does not condone violence of any kind and makes it clear that any suggestion linking Soco to this crime is completely unfounded, defamatory and highly inappropriate.