Ex-Moscow Prefect Says He Remains Free

By The Moscow Times

May 25, 2010

Former Moscow prefect Yury Khardikov denied on Monday that he had been detained abroad over accusations of swindling billionaire Yelena Baturina, wife of Mayor Yury Luzhkov, out of 1 billion rubles ($32 million).

Khardikov told Interfax by telephone that he was currently undergoing medical treatment in Europe. He did not specify the country. He called the case against him “a campaign of lies and provocations.”

Russian police said last week that Khardikov had been detained abroad and faced extradition. Kommersant said he was arrested in Germany.

Khardikov, who has lived abroad since February 2009, was placed on the international wanted list on fraud charges in November. He said Monday that investigators knew his whereabouts but did not explain why this has not led to an arrest.

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