Moscow protects diplomat

The Russian Foreign Ministry called the decision of the jury in Manhattan, which on March 7 found 49-year-old Vladimir Kuznetsov guilty of “conspiracy to commit money laundering,” biased. Since 1999, he has headed the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Issues of the UN General Assembly. On Smolenskaya Square, the Russian was promised “all necessary help and support.” The sentencing of the diplomat, who faces up to 20 years in prison, is scheduled for June 25. Mr. Kuznetsov, who was arrested by the FBI on September 1, 2005 in New York, completely denies guilt. For his release pending trial, the Russian government posted bail in the amount of $1.5 million.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, pressure was exerted on the defendant and witnesses, which is a “gross violation of procedural rules.” The Foreign Ministry considers the lifting of immunity from Kuznetsov by ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan unjustified, which was done hastily and without consultation with the General Assembly and the Russian side. According to lawyers, the client did not know that the money lent to him by former UN procurement officer Alexander Yakovlev was received by him from companies for assistance in tenders for supplies under various UN programs. The testimony of Yakovlev, who was arrested in August 2005 and made a deal with the investigation in exchange for immigration benefits, is the only direct evidence against Kuznetsov.

Alexander SAMOKHOTKIN