Borodin faces judge for fourth time
A former Kremlin property manager, Pavel Borodin, has appeared for the fourth time before a Geneva judge investigating money laundering charges against him. As on previous occasions, Borodin refused to answer questions.
Borodin returned to Switzerland on Tuesday to answer Judge Daniel Devaud’s third summons. Devaud has already questioned the Russian twice, on May 17 and June 11.
Borodin remained silent throughout the proceedings on both Tuesday and Wednesday, telling journalists outside the courtroom: “I have already spoken before a Russian court of law and I have nothing whatsoever to add on this matter.”
The former Kremlin aide has been asked to return to Switzerland for a further meeting with Devaud at the end of August.
Prosecutors in Moscow dropped their case against Borodin in December.
The Swiss authorities have charged Borodin with laundering kickbacks in exchange for Kremlin construction projects. Two companies based in canton Ticino, Mabatex and Mercata, are accused of paying the Russian $30 million (SFr54 million) in bribes.
The former property manager was arrested in New York in January on a Swiss warrant, just as he was on his way to George W Bush’s presidential inauguration. After being denied bail, he agreed to be sent to Switzerland in April.
A Geneva court soon released him on bail of SFr5 million, which was paid for by Russia.
Borodin, secretary of Russian-Belarus union, is expected to summoned again at the end of August.
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