MosNews November 18, 2004Russia
Seeks Extradition of Former Yukos
Accountant From
U.K. THE Russian government
is seeking the extradition of Yukos Oil
Co.'s former deputy chief accountant from
the U.K. on allegations he conspired with
others to defraud the state of 76 billion
rubles ($2.6 billion) by failing to
deliver oil, the Bloomberg news agency
reported on Friday. Dimitry Maruev, 39, and
Natalia Chernysheva, 40, previously
head of the unit at Menatep Bank bidding
for state companies to be privatized, deny
the allegations. They are contesting the
extradition, which is being heard at Bow
Street Magistrates Court in central
London. The allegations expand the Russian
government's case against Yukos, which has
so far centered on demands for $7.5
billion in back taxes and fines. Yukos
spokesman Alexander Shadrin
declined to comment. The
two are accused of conspiring in 1997 to
obtain 76 billion rubles from the regional
administration of Volgograd with a false
contract to supply oil products, the court
and Crown Prosecution Service said. They
are also accused of working with former
Yukos Chief Executive Officer Mikhail
Khodorkovsky (far left, in
jail) to defraud the Russian
government.
Chernysheva also faces an allegation
that she, as well as others including
Khodorkovsky, defrauded the property
foundation in Murmansk over the
acquisition of shares in Apatit, a state
company being sold by the state, the CPS
said. The two, who have not been charged,
appeared today at the court in central
London for a preliminary hearing. They
have surrendered their passports to the
police and are on conditional bail. The
next hearing will be held Dec. 10. Khodorkovsky, 41, was arrested Oct. 25,
2003. Once Russia's richest man, he faces
up to 10 years in prison. John Hardy QC is
representing the Russian government,
while Edward Fitzgerald QC and law firm
Corker Binning are acting for
Chernysheva. James Eadie and law firm
Peters and Peters are representing
Maruev. -
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