MOSCOW: Lyublinsky Court in Moscow has refused to satisfy or even consider all 16 motions of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation on a slander lawsuit filed by Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov.
Navalny and his lawyers had asked to question Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov as witnesses. The country's Anti-Corruption Foundation claims they may be tied to Usmanov's alleged corruption schemes. The activist also asked to question former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray and former Russian Deputy Energy Minister Vladimir Milov as witnesses of the plaintiff’s alleged illegal activity.
He asked the court to attach an interview of late Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky who spoke about Usmanov's business activity to the case. The defendant also requested documents from Russia's Federal Service for State Registration and tax services to prove claims of corruption and tax evasion. When the motion was refused by the court, Navalny and the Anti-Corruption Foundation challenged Judge Marina Vasina. “We see a direct violation of the law, uncovered bias of the judge on leading the process,” Navalny said.
