World

Russian Media Mogul Case Dismissed

December 26, 2000 / 11:56 AM EST / AP

A Moscow court ruled on Tuesday that a fraud case against Russian media magnate Vladimir Gusinsky was unfounded, signaling a possible end to his house arrest in Spain.

Gusinsky is the founder of NTV, Russia's only nationwide independent television network. His supporters say criminal cases against him are part of a Kremlin campaign to muzzle critics.

"This is an important decision that shows that the Gusinsky case is unfounded," his lawyer Pavel Astakhov said by telephone. "In fact, the court has recognized that Gusinsky is being investigated under a fabricated case."

Gusinsky was detained by Spanish police last month on a Russian arrest warrant, and was placed under house arrest on bail of $5.55 million.

Astakhov said Gusinsky's legal team could ask Spanish authorities to dismiss an extradition case against him, although it was still possible that Russian prosecutors could appeal against the court's decision.

Dmitry Ostalsky, spokesman for Gusinsky's Media-Most holding company, said he was delighted with the decision.

"It shows that the charges brought against Gusinsky do not hold water, and that Spanish justice has simply been misled."

Russian news agencies quoted another Gusinsky lawyer, Yuri Bagrayev, as saying the ruling meant that prosecutors had to drop the case.