Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Russia

Russia Renews Berezovsky Extradition Bid

Boris Berezovsky (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)

April 16, 2007 -- The Russian Prosecutor-General's Office has renewed an extradition bid for tycoon Boris Berezovsky following his call for the overthrow of President Vladimir Putin.

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April 16, 2007

Prosecutor-General Yury Chaika today said he sent a request to Britain's Home Office asking for the extradition of Berezovsky to Russia and the revocation of his political asylum status in Britain.

Berezovsky said in an interview published on April 13 in "The Guardian" newspaper that he was seeking to foment a revolution and that "force" was needed to change the regime in Russia.

He said he was in contact with members of Russia's political elite who share his views.

If extradited to Russia and found guilty, Berezovsky could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said police were studying whether the tycoon's comments broke any British laws.

(Interfax, ITAR-TASS, dpa)

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IS RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY MANAGING? Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Western powers seek to pressure Russia under the pretext of concern over its democratic development. He has said Russia is ready to listen to "well-intentioned criticism," but will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs. The Kremlin has been criticized for stifling political oppostion, increasing central control over the media, and cracking down on the work on nongovernmental organizations.