This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2013/jun/04/alexander-lebedev-mailonsunday
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Alexander Lebedev's accuser taunts him from Israel | Alexander Lebedev's accuser taunts him from Israel |
(4 months later) | |
The bizarre events surrounding the prosecution of Alexander Lebedev in Russia have reached a farcical level. | The bizarre events surrounding the prosecution of Alexander Lebedev in Russia have reached a farcical level. |
His accuser, Sergei Polonsky, is taunting him with tweets from Israel and showing no signs of turning up in Moscow to give evidence at the trial. | His accuser, Sergei Polonsky, is taunting him with tweets from Israel and showing no signs of turning up in Moscow to give evidence at the trial. |
He was tracked down by the Mail on Sunday's reporter, Christian Gysin, to a luxury apartment in Tel Aviv. | He was tracked down by the Mail on Sunday's reporter, Christian Gysin, to a luxury apartment in Tel Aviv. |
But Polonsky is aware that the authorities will go ahead without him, accepting his written statement about Lebedev having assaulted him on TV and allowing him not to be cross-examined. | But Polonsky is aware that the authorities will go ahead without him, accepting his written statement about Lebedev having assaulted him on TV and allowing him not to be cross-examined. |
Lebedev, who has been charged with hooliganism, claims he was provoked by Polonsky, a real estate tycoon, before they stepped before the TV cameras in September 2011. Lebedev was then seen by viewers to punch Polonsky. | Lebedev, who has been charged with hooliganism, claims he was provoked by Polonsky, a real estate tycoon, before they stepped before the TV cameras in September 2011. Lebedev was then seen by viewers to punch Polonsky. |
It is possible that the future of the newspapers owned by Lebedev's family - including The Independent and London Evening Standard - hangs on the outcome of his trial. | It is possible that the future of the newspapers owned by Lebedev's family - including The Independent and London Evening Standard - hangs on the outcome of his trial. |
The auguries do not look good for Lebedev. Acquittal in Russia is rare. In 2010, it was estimated that the country had a 99% conviction rate. | The auguries do not look good for Lebedev. Acquittal in Russia is rare. In 2010, it was estimated that the country had a 99% conviction rate. |
And there is a political dimension to the case. President Putin is no friend of Lebedev's and he is known to be extremely irritated by the editorial content of a Moscow paper co-owned by Lebedev, Novaya Gazeta. | And there is a political dimension to the case. President Putin is no friend of Lebedev's and he is known to be extremely irritated by the editorial content of a Moscow paper co-owned by Lebedev, Novaya Gazeta. |
If found guilty, Lebedev could be jailed for five years. It is uncertain what would then happen to his Russian business interests, the foundation of his fortune. | If found guilty, Lebedev could be jailed for five years. It is uncertain what would then happen to his Russian business interests, the foundation of his fortune. |
Sources: Mail on Sunday/BBC/The National | Sources: Mail on Sunday/BBC/The National |
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
Previous version
1
Next version