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Alexander Lebedev says UK papers financially secure, despite threat of jail Alexander Lebedev says UK papers financially secure, despite threat of jail
(5 months later)
The Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev says the Independent and the London Evening Standard will not have a cash problem should he be jailed on hooliganism charges in Russia.The Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev says the Independent and the London Evening Standard will not have a cash problem should he be jailed on hooliganism charges in Russia.
Lebedev, who is in London for one day, conceded there is a high chance he will be incarcerated because "the level of acquittals in the Russian system is pretty low, below 1%", but said the editors and staff on the Independent, the Independent on Sunday and the 'i' have no reason to be concerned.Lebedev, who is in London for one day, conceded there is a high chance he will be incarcerated because "the level of acquittals in the Russian system is pretty low, below 1%", but said the editors and staff on the Independent, the Independent on Sunday and the 'i' have no reason to be concerned.
Speaking on Radio 4's The Media Show on Wednesday afternoon, he said: "Nothing will happen to the papers in the UK because … part of the losses are expected … there is already cash in the bank to cover predicted losses."Speaking on Radio 4's The Media Show on Wednesday afternoon, he said: "Nothing will happen to the papers in the UK because … part of the losses are expected … there is already cash in the bank to cover predicted losses."
Lebedev has been charged with "hooliganism motivated by political hatred" after punching a fellow businessman during the recording of a television show in 2011.Lebedev has been charged with "hooliganism motivated by political hatred" after punching a fellow businessman during the recording of a television show in 2011.
Asked what would happen if he was found guilty, he replied: "I will spend some time in incarceration in a penitentiary. But we will be fighting for acquittal."Asked what would happen if he was found guilty, he replied: "I will spend some time in incarceration in a penitentiary. But we will be fighting for acquittal."
Once one of Russia's richest men, he now faces up to five years in prison if jailed, but he contends the charges are trumped up by political opponents to punish him for funding investigations into official corruption and for his co-ownership of Novaya Gazeta, an independent and investigative newspaper in Russia.Once one of Russia's richest men, he now faces up to five years in prison if jailed, but he contends the charges are trumped up by political opponents to punish him for funding investigations into official corruption and for his co-ownership of Novaya Gazeta, an independent and investigative newspaper in Russia.
Lebedev, who said he has already sunk £80m into the Standard and Independent titles, told the Guardian earlier this year that he is committed to investing up to £35m in the overall newspaper and TV operation over the next three years. He denied he has problems with liquidity and said he has recently "decoupled" his media business in the UK from his Russian interests.Lebedev, who said he has already sunk £80m into the Standard and Independent titles, told the Guardian earlier this year that he is committed to investing up to £35m in the overall newspaper and TV operation over the next three years. He denied he has problems with liquidity and said he has recently "decoupled" his media business in the UK from his Russian interests.
"The overall budget for the [London] group this year, next year and 2015 is £30 to £35m," he said, adding that under the plan he hopes his London business run by his son Evgeny will return a net profit of "between £12m and £18m in two and a half years"."The overall budget for the [London] group this year, next year and 2015 is £30 to £35m," he said, adding that under the plan he hopes his London business run by his son Evgeny will return a net profit of "between £12m and £18m in two and a half years".
On Tuesday, he had to beg a Moscow court to let him out of the country for a week to travel to London and Perugia in Italy where his son has a holiday residence.On Tuesday, he had to beg a Moscow court to let him out of the country for a week to travel to London and Perugia in Italy where his son has a holiday residence.
Lebedev and his lawyer appealed to the judge to grant him leave to exit Russia in order to attend to business in London and to be present at 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 the request.Lebedev and his lawyer appealed to the judge to grant him leave to exit Russia in order to attend to business in London and to be present at 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 the 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.
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