Borodin to return to Russia

Borodin: Accused of receiving $25 million in kickbacks

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Russia has paid the bail to secure the release of former Kremlin aide Pavel Borodin, his lawyer said.

The Geneva tribunal agreed to Borodin's release on Thursday on bail of five million Swiss francs ($2.92 million) and the condition that he attends any further proceedings.

Lawyer Vincent Solari said Borodin, indicted on Swiss money-laundering charges, has been provisionally released and would probably return to Russia on Friday.

"The bail has just been paid to the courtroom cashier. It was paid by the Russian Federation," Solari said.

Borodin has been accused of receiving $25 million in kickbacks from renovation contracts.

He appeared for the brief court hearing, accompanied by a translator and surrounded by his legal team, but was expected to return later to Geneva's regional hospital where he is being treated for heart problems.

AUDIO CNN's Matthew Chance: Borodin's history 68.secs/730K. AIFF or WAV sound Danger for Putin 610K/56.secs. AIFF or WAV sound

The 54-year-old, once a top aide to former President Boris Yeltsin, was extradited from the U.S. on Saturday and immediately indicted on twin charges of money laundering and belonging to a criminal organisation. He denies both charges.

Borodin was head of the Kremlin's property empire under Yeltsin but was dismissed from the post in 1999 by the current Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Swiss prosecutors say two Swiss companies paid "commissions" to Borodin for awarding them contracts worth $500 million for renovating the Kremlin and the Russian presidential plane.

The two firms, Mabetex and Mercata, have denied all the allegations against them.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Swiss charge ex-Yeltsin aide
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Ex-Yeltsin aide arrives in Geneva
April 7, 2001
Borodin to face Swiss judge
April 3, 2001

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