MENATEP: Platon Lebedev is honest taxpayer

'The new accusation made against MENATEP board chairman Platon Lebedev is groundless,' an employee in the company's press office has told Rosbalt. Alexander Semenov said it was not clear whether Lebedev himself or MENATEP was being accused of tax evasion. He added that the allegation was groundless in either case and said that Lebedev paid significant sums in tax.

'Platon Lebedev is an honest man and is merely a hostage in the present situation,' said Semenov. 'I wouldn't be surprised if he was accused of blowing up a flight to Mars,' he added.

The General Prosecutor's Office today announced that Lebedev had been charged with a fourth offence, of tax evasion.

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