U.S. questions Russian media tycoon's arrest

June 15, 2000
Web posted at: 3:18 a.m. EDT (0718 GMT)

In this story: Gusinsky held without charges U.S. business leaders concerned RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. diplomats in Moscow are trying to learn more about the circumstances behind the arrest of a prominent Russian media mogul, according to a Clinton administration spokesman.

Vladimir Gusinsky, the owner of Media-Most, was arrested Tuesday and held on suspicion of having a role in the theft of $10 million in state money in a privatization deal.

Many observers in Russia and elsewhere suspect that his arrest was politically motivated.

ALSO Even a media mogul's enemies fear the implications of his arrest     MESSAGE BOARD Changes in Russia

Gusinsky's media outlets have often criticized the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Last month, he accused a top Kremlin official of offering him $100 million to back off his aggressive coverage of Putin's presidential campaign -- an offer Gusinsky said he refused.

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said Wednesday that U.S. diplomats in Moscow have been dispatched to the Kremlin to learn more about Gusinsky's arrest.

"I do not believe people should be arrested solely because of what they say in exercising their role as members of the press," President Bill Clinton said on Wednesday. "I think the United States has to take a very firm position on that."

Pavel Astakhov, an attorney for Gusinsky, said the case against his client is trumped up.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was traveling in Spain when Gusinsky was arrested, said he didn't see any political aspect to the case.

Gusinsky held without charges

The U.S. Embassy told the State Department in Washington that Gusinsky has been allowed to meet with his lawyers but has not been formally charged, Lockhart said. Under Russian law, Gusinsky can be held without being charged for up to 10 days.

"Any charges and trial should be done in a way that provides him due process and is fair and transparent," Lockhart said.

Although embassy officials are trying to get more information about the particulars of the Gusinsky case, the United States is not trying to intervene on Gusinsky's behalf, Lockhart said.

U.S. business leaders concerned

Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pennsylvania), who travels regularly to Russia, said the Gusinsky case could dampen the confidence of American business leaders in Putin and Russia.

"When these kinds of things happen it send chills down the backs of American business people, who wonder if they're going to be next," Weldon said.

Gusinsky's media empire includes newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations. One of these outlets featured an interview with President Clinton earlier this month.

He also is one of Russia's top Jewish leaders. His arrest has rekindled fears among Russian Jews of state-sponsored anti-Semitism.

White House Correspondent Major Garrett and Senior White House Correspondent John King contributed to this report.

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