Media Magnate Gusinsky's Whereabouts Unknown

The exact whereabouts of Vladimir Gusinsky, who has had new charges brought against him by the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office, are unknown. Callers to the media magnate's residence in Sotogrande are told Gusinsky "is out." Earlier, Gusinsky had said he felt uncomfortable in Spain and wanted to move to Israel on Tuesday. Measures to secure Gusinsky's appearance in court had been terminated by Saturday evening. However, in order to leave Spain Gusinsky has to turn up at the National Panel of Judges to get his Russian and Israeli passports. On Monday, the Spanish Panel of Judges confirmed its decision not to extradite Gusinsky to Russia, motivating it by the fact that the Spanish court had found Gusinsky's offence, swindling, not grave enough. In the meantime, the Russian Prosecutor-General's Office passed a ruling on charging Gusinsky with gross money laundering. On the same day, the Interpol National Bureau issued appropriate warrants and sent them out to Interpol offices in other countries. Although the gross swindling charges brought against the media magnate earlier still remain in force, money laundering is considered a graver offence in Spain.

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