Fugitive Tycoon Vladimir Gusinsky Is Again Summoned To Prosecutor-General's Office For Examination

Former oligarch Vladimir Gusinsky, who is on the run from the Russian law-enforcement authorities, has been again summoned to the Prosecutor-General's office of Russia for familiarization with the ruling on "money laundering" charges brought against him. Gusinsky did not come for the previous examinations on 27 April and 3 May, the spokesman of the Prosecutor-General's office said to RIA Novosti. The lawyers of the businessman insisted on familiarization with the ruling on the charges brought against him, however in Gusinsky's absence this ruling was not delivered to them. The laws do not provide for preliminary familiarization of lawyers with a ruling on charges brought against the defendant. According to the Criminal and Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, such ruling is delivered to the defendant only. All pleadings in the criminal process are made directly vis-a-vis a defendant, suspect, etc., while lawyers take part in this process. These comments as regards the situation with summoning of Vladimir Gusinsky for examination were made to RIA Novosti by Natalia Vishnyakova, deputy head of the department of information and public relations of the Prosecutor-General's office. The ruling on instituting proceedings against Gusinsky as defendant on charges of grand laundering of money obtained illegally was passed by the prosecutor's office on 22 April. At the same time, the grand fraud charges brought against him earlier are still in force. An international warrant for search and arrest of Gusinsky has been issued. - O- (VAS-lio) 10/05/01 10:33