Spain refuses to extradite tycoon

Gusinsky has been battling extradition since December

Spanish judges have refused to extradite Russian media tycoon Vladimir Gusinsky, after a four-month legal battle.

Mr Gusinsky is wanted in Russia on fraud and embezzlement charges relating to his Media-Most empire.

He was arrested in Spain last December after a warrant was issued by Russian prosecutors.

But the Spanish National Court has ruled against the extradition on a 2-1 split vote, arguing, in a 16-page ruling, that Russia's case against Mr Gusinsky would not amount to a crime in Spain.

(The decision) confirms the unfairness of the accusations against Gusinsky and the politically-motivated nature of the charges

Gusinsky spokesman

"The court agrees to reject and declare inadmissible the extradition of Vladimir Alexandrich Gusinsky as requested by the authorities of the Russian federation," said the judgment.

Mr Gusinsky's lawyer said there could still be further proceedings in Spain, as prosecutors might appeal against the decision.

'Independent court'

A spokesman for Mr Gusinsky welcomed the decision, saying it proved the tycoon's claim that the charges against him were politically motivated.

"It confirms the unfairness of the Prosecutor-General's accusations against Gusinsky and the politically-motivated nature of the charges," spokesman Dmitry Ostalsky told Reuters news agency.

Some of Mr Gusinsky's NTV staff have tried to keep broadcasts going

"The whole Media-Most and Gusinsky case was something out of nothing, he did not commit any crime as we've said for months, and the decision of a truly independent court confirms this."

Mr Gusinsky says he is being persecuted by the Kremlin because of his media group's anti-government stance.

During his absence in Spain, the independent NTV television station, previously controlled by Media-Most, was taken over by the Russian state-backed gas giant Gazprom.

Spanish villa

His empire was further undermined this week, when leading newspaper Sevodnya was closed down, and staff at a news magazine, Itogi, were sacked.

Mr Gusinsky has been on $5.4m bail during the court battle, and has been living at a villa in the south of the country pending the ruling.

It is not clear what his next move might be. He has not been back to Russia since last July, fearing arrest.

Mr Gusinsky, president of the Russian branch of the World Jewish Congress, holds dual Russian and Israeli nationality.