Moscow, 23 October 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Russian prosecutors today formally charged tycoon-in-exile Boris Berezovskii with large-scale fraud for illegal sales of cars from Russia's biggest automobile manufacturer, AvtoVaz. Deputy Prosecutor General Vladimir Kolesnikov said Berezovskii's deputy, Badri Patarkatsishvili, and Yuri Dubov from AvtoVaz were also charged in the case.
The three are charged with stealing some 2,000 cars from AvtoVaz and selling the vehicles to car dealers around Russia between 1994 and 1995.
Kolesnikov said a court would consider approving the three men's arrest in the near future. Kolesnikov also said he had no doubts that Great Britain would extradite Berezovskii back to Russia.
Berezovskii is currently living in London where he fled after what he said were politically motivated charges against him in Russia.
He was charged with embezzling from Russian national airline Aeroflot.
The three are charged with stealing some 2,000 cars from AvtoVaz and selling the vehicles to car dealers around Russia between 1994 and 1995.
Kolesnikov said a court would consider approving the three men's arrest in the near future. Kolesnikov also said he had no doubts that Great Britain would extradite Berezovskii back to Russia.
Berezovskii is currently living in London where he fled after what he said were politically motivated charges against him in Russia.
He was charged with embezzling from Russian national airline Aeroflot.