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Chichvarkin Offers IPO Assistance

Former Yevroset co-owner Yevgeny Chichvarkin would be happy to lend a hand in the company's upcoming initial public offering, he said in an interview published Tuesday.

"I have a lot of free time now," he told the RBC Daily newspaper during a London interview. "If anyone made me an offer, I'd be interested."

Chichvarkin said he could participate in meetings with investors or act as a consultant.

"I have no complaints against the current shareholders," Chichvarkin said. He sold his interest in the company to businessman Alexander Mamut in September 2008 for an undisclosed sum, which has been estimated at $200 million to $400 million.

"I think Yevroset's business was substantially undervalued in 2008, and I have an interest in the company's being valued as high as possible during the IPO," Chichvarkin said.

Yevroset president Alexander Malis told RBC Daily that he "hadn't thought about" a role for Chichvarkin in the IPO, which may take place next year.

Yevroset is now jointly owned by Mamut and mobile operator VimpelCom, to which Mamut sold a 49.9 percent share in the company for $226 million a month after buying it.

Vedomosti has reported that Mamut plans to sell at least 30 percent of the company. VimpelCom has not decided whether it will sell part of its stake.

The company will most likely be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Chichvarkin, who was also active in liberal politics, fled Russia for London shortly after the Yevroset sale, to avoid kidnapping charges that he says were politically motivated.

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