Borodin to face Swiss judge

Hundreds of Muscovites demonstrate against Borodin's detention in the United States

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Former Kremlin aide Pavel Borodin is expected in Switzerland within days after deciding not to contest attempts to extradite him.

Geneva justice authorities have charged the former aide and confidante to President Boris Yeltsin with money-laundering.

The Swiss have withheld the exact date when Borodin is expected "for security reasons," but his lawyer says he anticipates his client will travel in about a week.

Borodin, 54, who is also secretary-general of a political union between Russia and Belarus, was detained in New York in January after the Swiss issued an international arrest warrant.

He had come to the United States to attend President George W. Bush's inauguration.

The charges are that, as a key administrator of the Kremlin under Yeltsin, he received and laundered unauthorised commission estimated to be worth $25 million.

The money was allegedly paid to Borodin when the Kremlin was renovated by the Swiss-based companies Mabetex and Mercata.

Although he has since then fought extradition attempts, Borodin told U.S. Magistrate Viktor Pohorelsky he is now ready to face Swiss prosecutors and is anxious to clear his name.

"My decision is based solely on my desire to be set free as soon as possible and to have my reputation remain unstained," said Borodin.

Borodin has been repeatedly denied bail since his arrest, and was transferred from his cell to a hospital for several days in March with reputed chest pains.

Russia has protested vigorously against Borodin's arrest, having dropped its own investigation into the affair last year after cooperation with the Swiss.

Borodin, who is alleged by Geneva's chief prosecutor Bernard Bertossa to be a member of a criminal organisation, has denied the charges, as have the two Swiss-based firms.

"I have never committed any crimes in Switzerland or in Russia or anywhere else," Borodin told the court. "I have nothing to be afraid of, nothing to fear and I am certain the Swiss court will acquit me."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Borodin drops extradition fight
April 2, 2001
Yeltsin aide, held in N.Y., hospitalized
March 13, 2001
Russian official denied U.S. bail
March 10, 2001
Swiss seek ex-Kremlin aide's extradition
February 5, 2001
Ex-Yeltsin aide held in U.S.
January 18, 2001

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