Moscow demands tycoon's extradition

Mr Gusinsky was arrested last week

Russia has requested the extradition from Greece of the fugitive media tycoon Vladimir Gusinsky on fraud and money laundering charges, Greek officials said.

Mr Gusinsky, who once controlled Russia's influential NTV television network, was arrested on an international warrant in Athens on 21 August on returning to Greece from Israel.

He was released on bail a week later and ordered to remain in Greece.

The Justice Ministry said the extradition request would be sent on Tuesday to an appeal court judge to begin the review process, which could take about a week.

If the courts back the extradition, the final decision would rest with Justice Minister Stefanos Petsalnikos.

Spain's refusal

Mr Gusinsky, 50, denies the charges, which he says are politically motivated in retaliation for NTV's critical coverage of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Chechnya.

After he left Russia in 2000 his media empire was dismantled.

There have been claims that some in the Russian Government want to limit the power of the country's super-rich, to ensure they do not cross the line from business into politics.

Mr Gusinsky, who holds both Russian and Israeli passports, was arrested in December 2000 at his home in Spain.

But in 2001, a Spanish court refused to extradite him, saying the grounds for the case would not be considered a crime in Spain.

Greece, however, has stronger political and economic links with Russia.