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Alexander Lebedev allowed London trip during break in 'hooliganism' trial Alexander Lebedev allowed London trip during break in 'hooliganism' trial
(5 months later)
Alexander Lebedev was once the ultimate example of Russia's new rich: jetting around the world, holding court in London just as often as in Moscow, posting photos of himself on safari in the depths of Africa.Alexander Lebedev was once the ultimate example of Russia's new rich: jetting around the world, holding court in London just as often as in Moscow, posting photos of himself on safari in the depths of Africa.
On Tuesday, the media magnate was forced to beg a Moscow judge to grant him permission to leave the country for a one-week jaunt to London and Perugia.On Tuesday, the media magnate was forced to beg a Moscow judge to grant him permission to leave the country for a one-week jaunt to London and Perugia.
Lebedev has been confined to the Russian capital as he battles criminal charges of "hooliganism motivated by political hatred" for punching a fellow businessman during the recording of a television show in 2011. The charges, he says, are politically motivated, designed to punish him for funding investigations into official corruption and for his co-ownership of Novaya Gazeta, Russia's most strident investigative newspaper.Lebedev has been confined to the Russian capital as he battles criminal charges of "hooliganism motivated by political hatred" for punching a fellow businessman during the recording of a television show in 2011. The charges, he says, are politically motivated, designed to punish him for funding investigations into official corruption and for his co-ownership of Novaya Gazeta, Russia's most strident investigative newspaper.
"It's the government that's against me," said Lebedev, who is also the financial backer of the Evening Standard and the Independent."It's the government that's against me," said Lebedev, who is also the financial backer of the Evening Standard and the Independent.
The trial of the colourful businessman, dressed in black skinny jeans and grey Converse, opened in a northern Moscow courtroom, not far from the Ostankino television tower where the "punch heard around Russia" landed on the face of property magnate Sergei Polonsky almost two years ago. The two were heatedly discussing the global financial crisis on NTV, a state-run television channel, when Lebedev jumped out of his chair and punched Polonsky, sending him flying backwards.The trial of the colourful businessman, dressed in black skinny jeans and grey Converse, opened in a northern Moscow courtroom, not far from the Ostankino television tower where the "punch heard around Russia" landed on the face of property magnate Sergei Polonsky almost two years ago. The two were heatedly discussing the global financial crisis on NTV, a state-run television channel, when Lebedev jumped out of his chair and punched Polonsky, sending him flying backwards.
Lebedev has since admitted his behaviour was unseemly, but insists the charges – a variation on the charges used to jail the punk group Pussy Riot last year – are absurd.Lebedev has since admitted his behaviour was unseemly, but insists the charges – a variation on the charges used to jail the punk group Pussy Riot last year – are absurd.
"Even if I overestimated the threat, I definitely did not cause anyone any damage, did not commit any act of hooliganism and did not show any political hatred," Lebedev said. He faces up to five years in prison if found guilty."Even if I overestimated the threat, I definitely did not cause anyone any damage, did not commit any act of hooliganism and did not show any political hatred," Lebedev said. He faces up to five years in prison if found guilty.
The heft of the charges have failed to mask the absurdity of the case's development. Until 4 April, the alleged victim was in a Cambodian prison facing accusations of assaulting a group of local boatmen. He was held for three months, putting out regular videos appealing for sympathy and freedom, before paying a "security deposit" to win his release. Polonsky has not returned to Russia and neither he nor his lawyers attended the hearing on Tuesday.The heft of the charges have failed to mask the absurdity of the case's development. Until 4 April, the alleged victim was in a Cambodian prison facing accusations of assaulting a group of local boatmen. He was held for three months, putting out regular videos appealing for sympathy and freedom, before paying a "security deposit" to win his release. Polonsky has not returned to Russia and neither he nor his lawyers attended the hearing on Tuesday.
Proceedings began nearly 30 minutes late. Upon exiting his chambers before the hearing, the judge, seeing a small group of journalists hovering around Lebedev, exclaimed "fuck" before turning back.Proceedings began nearly 30 minutes late. Upon exiting his chambers before the hearing, the judge, seeing a small group of journalists hovering around Lebedev, exclaimed "fuck" before turning back.
Lebedev and his lawyer appealed to the judge to grant him exit from Russia in order to attend to business in London and to be present at his son Evgeny's birthday in Perugia. A state prosecutor objected on the grounds that Lebedev might not be able to buy plane tickets back to Russia because of the busy holiday season. The judge, however, granted Lebedev's request.Lebedev and his lawyer appealed to the judge to grant him exit from Russia in order to attend to business in London and to be present at his son Evgeny's birthday in Perugia. A state prosecutor objected on the grounds that Lebedev might not be able to buy plane tickets back to Russia because of the busy holiday season. The judge, however, granted Lebedev's request.
A state prosecutor read the charges against Lebedev, highlighting his "lack of respect for society". The hearing was adjourned until 20 May.A state prosecutor read the charges against Lebedev, highlighting his "lack of respect for society". The hearing was adjourned until 20 May.
Lebedev has been facing pressure against his businesses for years, but insists the trial is part of a wider crackdown launched by Vladimir Putin. He has tried, in vain, to sell some of his Russian assets, which include a bank, airline stakes and a potato farm.Lebedev has been facing pressure against his businesses for years, but insists the trial is part of a wider crackdown launched by Vladimir Putin. He has tried, in vain, to sell some of his Russian assets, which include a bank, airline stakes and a potato farm.
This year, he fell off the Forbes billionaire list, which estimated his net worth at $1.1bn (£700m) in 2012. After the list was released, Lebedev tweeted: "I am happy to have lost 57% of my presumed 'value' on the notorious Forbes list – such a relief! Soon will become a normal Homo sapiens."This year, he fell off the Forbes billionaire list, which estimated his net worth at $1.1bn (£700m) in 2012. After the list was released, Lebedev tweeted: "I am happy to have lost 57% of my presumed 'value' on the notorious Forbes list – such a relief! Soon will become a normal Homo sapiens."
"He lives like a free person in a country where one is not supposed to," said Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, who made a brief appearance at the court to show his support."He lives like a free person in a country where one is not supposed to," said Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, who made a brief appearance at the court to show his support.
Lebedev has also made a big show of his international support, publishing character testimonials from the likes of actors Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Stephen Fry. Asked by a Russian journalist if they could appear in court to support him, he said: "Sure, but I bet they are all very busy."Lebedev has also made a big show of his international support, publishing character testimonials from the likes of actors Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes and Stephen Fry. Asked by a Russian journalist if they could appear in court to support him, he said: "Sure, but I bet they are all very busy."
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