Court of Human Rights Rules in favor of Gusinsky in suit vs. Russia

Court of Human Rights Rules in Favor of Gusinsky in Suit vs. Russia MADRID, May 20. The European Court of Human Rights ruled Wednesday in favor of Vladimir Gusinsky in a suit against the government of Russia, finding that he is entitled to compensation for court costs in the amount of euro 88,000 for moral injuries, the BBC reported.

In his suit, Gusinsky alleged that he was taken into custody in the summer of 2000 on suspicions of fraud to pressure him into selling his company, Media-Most, and the popular television channel, NTV, to Gazprom. Gusinsky alleged that the fraud charges were a response to NTV's critical approach to the government. Gusinsky alleged that after his release on a signature bond he was offered a deal by then Press Minister Mikhail Lesin: the criminal case would be dropped if Gusinsky sold Media-Most to Gazprom.

The Russian side said the court's ruling would be protested.