Russia: Investigative Agency Says Tycoon Remains Under House Arrest
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Version 0 of 1. A Russian billionaire’s company claimed that the tycoon had been freed from house arrest on Friday, an announcement that was welcomed by some top officials only to be rejected minutes later by the nation’s top criminal investigation agency. The confusion about the fate of the tycoon, Vladimir P. Yevtushenkov, reflected a high-stakes battle for some of the country’s most prized oil assets that reportedly involves the upper echelons of Russian officialdom. Russia’s Investigative Committee said Friday that Mr. Yevtushenkov remained under house arrest, dismissing the claim of his release issued by the conglomerate Sistema, of which he is the majority shareholder. Mr. Yevtushenkov’s arrest on Tuesday on money laundering charges sent shock waves through the country’s business community. The case against Mr. Yevtushenkov focused on his company’s purchase of the Bashneft oil company. Most market watchers see Mr. Yevtushenkov’s house arrest as part of efforts by state-controlled oil giant Rosneft to take control of Bashneft. |