DATE=6/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / TYCOON ARREST (L UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-263556
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Russian authorities have released jailed
media magnate Vladimir Gusinsky, whose arrest earlier
this week has provoked a storm of criticism. Earlier
in the day Russian officials formally leveled charges
of embezzlement against Mr. Gusinsky, whose news
outlets have been critical of the new Kremlin
leadership. Correspondent Eve Conant has this report
from Moscow.
TEXT: Genry Reznik, Defense lawyer for Vladimir
Gusinsky told reporters, that the essence of the
charge against Mr. Gusinsky is that his `Media Most'
company was created with the criminal goal of
inflicting damage on the state and stealing an
unspecified amount of money.
Russian prosecutors say Mr. Gusinsky is thought to be
involved in the theft of at least ten million dollars
of state funds during a privatization deal in the mid-
nineteen nineties.
However, defense lawyer Mr. Reznik said he
characterized the charges and the treatment of his
client as "full-scale political repression" from the
Russian authorities.
///Second Act Reznik in Russian in full and fade
under///
Mr. Reznik says, "They will pressure, destroy and jail
all whom they consider to be their opponents." He
adds, "people need to forget their illusions, we need
to stop the forces that are trying to suppress
society."
/// opt /// Mr. Reznik says that prosecutors did not
examine Mr. Gusinsky's eligibility for release from
jail under an amnesty for recipients of Soviet-era
state medals. /// end opt ///
Mr. Gusinsky's arrest on Tuesday has sparked a wave of
international concern over freedom of press in Russia.
The businessman is head of a media empire that
controls the nation's only independent television
network, N-T-V, as well as the Ekho Moscow radio
station and liberal newspapers. State-run television
networks tend to air only positive coverage of newly-
elected President Vladimir Putin, whereas Mr.
Gusinsky's media outlets have been outspoken in their
criticism of the government's military campaign in
Chechnya and alleged Kremlin corruption.
///OPT/// Igor Malashenko, vice-Chairman of Media-Most
says the arrest was designed to intimidate Russian
journalists.
///Act Malashenko in Russian in full and fade under///
Mr. Malashenko says, "I returned to Moscow to ensure
the normal work of Media Most and it's mass media
outlets. The organizers of Mr. Gusinsky's arrest have
failed to frighten us or keep us from doing our normal
work." ///END OPT///
Journalists who work for Media Most told a news
conference they wished to meet with former Russian
President Boris Yeltsin who had promised that his
successor, Vladimir Putin, would honor press freedom
and democratic reforms.
President Putin has said the media tycoon should not
have been jailed, but that he had no control over the
legal process. (Signed)
NEB/EC/GE/ENE/KBK
16-Jun-2000 14:35 PM LOC (16-Jun-2000 1835 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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