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Oligarch Lebedev Mulling Asset Sale Due To Kremlin Pressure


Russian billionaire Aleksandr Lebedev
Russian billionaire Aleksandr Lebedev
Russian oligarch Aleksandr Lebedev says he is considering selling his business assets in Russia, where he fears a jail sentence in a criminal case he denounces as politically motivated.

He said on August 2 that potential buyers in Russia would be reluctant to buy any of his assets before the deals are approved by the Kremlin.

According to Lebedev, Russia could face a wave of political repression following a series of moves since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency on May 7 that opposition leaders have described as a crackdown on dissent.

Lebedev, 52, owns a bank, the New Media holding in Russia, and supports Britain's "The Independent" and London's "Evening Standard" newspapers.

His net worth was put at $1.1 billion by Forbes magazine in March.

Based on reporting by Gazeta.ru and Reuters

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