Sovkomflot First Deputy General Director Sergey Terekhin.
Photo: Pavel Smertin
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Russia Seeks Another Extradition, Newspaper Says
The Guardian reported on February 1 that Russia is seeking the extradition of Yury Nikitin, who is accused of embezzling $500 million from the Sovkomflot company, which controls the Russian merchant marine fleet. The British government has unofficially confirmed that information, and the Russian Embassy in London has declined to comment on it.
The British newspaper further claims that the Russian government employed a British security firm to find out more about Nikitin's offshore financial accounts. That company's findings make up the basis of a case against Nikitin filed in British courts. Nikitin's defense says that the information was obtained illegally.
Nikitin lives in Berkshire in the south of England in a home estimated to be worth £9 million, the newspaper stated. He left Russia after his St. Petersburg office was searched by the authorities. Nikitin countered that he is the victim of a political conflict with Moscow and a Kremlin-linked group is trying to deprive him of his “legal income.”
According to The Guardian, Nikitin worked for the Kinex company, a Russian oil exporter owned by Gennady Timchenko, who is reported a personal friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nikitin is also said to be close to Dmitry Skarga, who was replaced as head of Sovkomflot by former transportation minister Sergey Frank in 2005.
www.kommersant.com
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