19 Sep 2014 18:17

Rakhimov lawyer: Yevtushenko's reported release means "one can talk business"

MOSCOW. Sept 19 (Interfax) - A defense lawyer for Ural Rakhimov, one of the accused in the illegal sale of Bashneft shares case, has hailed the reported release of AFK Sistema chief executive Vladimir Yevtushenkov from house arrest.

"Of course, this is positive news. It means one can talk business," Ilnur Salimyaniov told Interfax.

It remained unclear, though, whether Rakhimov would return to Russia. "I can't comment on this. It hasn't been discussed," the lawyer said when asked whether a prospect of pretrial travel restrictions rather than detention was likely to persuade Rakhimov to come back.

Meanwhile, the defense in the Bashneft case would continue to appeal the conduct of investigators, Salimyanov said.