Russia lays Chubais attack charge

Chubais oversaw Russia's privatisation programme

Russian prosecutors have charged a retired army colonel with trying to kill Anatoly Chubais - the head of the state-controlled electricity monopoly.

Colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, a former member of the main intelligence directorate, was also charged with illegal possession of weapons.

A lawyer for the explosives expert and Soviet war veteran said he was accused of attempted murder, reports Itar-Tass.

Mr Chubais was unhurt in the attack on his motorcade in Moscow on 17 March.

Gunmen opened fire and also detonated an explosive device in the ambush.

Arrest

Mr Chubais, who oversaw Russia's privatisation programme in the 1990s, continued to work after the attack.

Col Kvachkov, 57, was arrested on the day of the attack after a car registered in his wife's name was seen by witnesses near the scene, Reuters news agency reported.

Mr Chubais, a former deputy prime minister, played a key role in the much criticised sale of Russia's natural resources to a select group of Russian businessmen - the so-called oligarchs.

Mr Chubais, 49, also ran former President Boris Yeltsin's successful re-election campaign in 1996, before becoming the chief of Unified Energy System in 1998.

He has also continued to play an active role in Russia's politics as one of the leaders of an influential liberal party - the Union of Right Forces (SPS).