Support The Moscow Times!

'Witness' Luzhkov Returns to Moscow

Luzhkov speaking at a book talk several years ago. The ousted mayor returned to Moscow to be questioned in an embezzlement case. Igor Tabakov

Former Mayor Yury Luzhkov on Wednesday delivered on his promise to return to Russia to face questioning in a criminal case over the alleged embezzlement of 13 billion rubles ($427 million) from city funds, RIA-Novosti reported.

Luzhkov is being summoned as a witness, but said he did not rule out becoming a suspect in what he calls a fabricated case.

"If there's a man, there's always an article [of the Criminal Code] for him," he told the news agency, quoting a popular Russian saying. "But I have openly defended my family honor in the past, and will continue to do so."

No date for his questioning was set. A copy of the note that Luzhkov sent to the Interior Ministry, published by RIA-Novosti, said he would be willing to appear any time between Nov. 11 and  Nov. 22, except for Nov. 17, when his lawyer will be out of the country.

Investigators say the money in question was loaned by the city government in 2009 to Premier Estate — an allegedly bogus company — but instead wound up in the account of Luzhkov's billionaire wife, Yelena Baturina.

Baturina, who has denied wrongdoing, has also been summoned for questioning. The entrepreneur sold her thriving real estate business in Moscow after her husband was ousted in 2010 and moved to London. She said she would also come to speak with investigators, but did not say when.

President Dmitry Medvedev removed Luzhkov from office for the humiliating reason of a "loss of confidence." In recent months, Luzhkov has increasingly criticized the Kremlin, claiming that his case is politically motivated.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more