RUSSIAN MEDIA MAGNATE GUSINSKY TRANSFERRED TO PRISON NEAR MADRID








MADRID, March 13, 2001. /from RIA Novosti correspondent Juan Kobo/. Head of the Russian holding Media-Most Vladimir Gusinsky, who was arrested by Spanish authorities last December, has been transferred to the prison Soto-del-Real on the outskirts of Madrid.


	Thursday court hearings will take place in Madrid to consider extradition of the media tycoon as requested by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office. Before passing a verdict the Criminal Chamber, the supreme instance department of the Spain's National Court, ruled to change the measures of restraint in respect to Vladimir Gusinsky.


	In compliance with this ruling the media mogul who had so far been kept in house arrest was taken into custody and sent to prison. In making this decision judicial bodies proceeded from the risk of a possible escape on the part of the unconvicted prisoner. The ruling reads that Gusinsky can violate the restrictions imposed by the court. This fact, including also his vast economic possibilities and that he has an Israeli citizenship, "has always been taken into account." Vladimir Gusinsky was arrested by Spanish authorities at his villa in Sotogrande in December 2000 on request of Russian law enforcers. On the eve of 2001 Spanish judge Baltazar Garson resolved to change the measures of restraint in respect to Gusinsky and allowed him to stay in house arrest on bail to a total of 1 billion Spanish pesetas (5.5 million USD).