Borodin keeps mum at second Geneva hearing

A smiling Pavel Borodin leaves Geneva's law courts after refusing to answer questions Keystone

The former senior Kremlin official, Pavel Borodin, has again refused to answer questions before a Geneva judge about his alleged role in the laundering $25 million (SFr45 million) in kickbacks from two Swiss companies.

Emerging from over two hours of questioning, Borodin cheerfully replied in Russian to reporters’ questions outside the cantonal courthouse, before being whisked away in a taxi. He said he would respect the decisions of the Geneva courts.

It was the second time Borodin had faced questioning from the investigating magistrate, Daniel Devaud, since he was released on SFr5 million bail in April.

The former aide to ex-President Boris Yeltsin has been summoned to a third hearing, which will take place on July 3 and 4. His lawyers said he would attend.

Just as at the first hearing, on May 17, the Russian refused to answer Devaud’s questions. “He used his constitutional right to silence,” said Robert Assaël, one of Borodin’s Swiss legal team. “He simple replied that he would not reply. This is a matter of principle.”

Assaël said that, as Russian magistrates had found that there was no evidence to show that Borodin had committed a crime, his client did not understand why he had to answer questions in Switzerland about something that did not happen.

“Nothing new emerged. We are convinced that the file [against Borodin] is still empty,” Assaël told reporters outside the courthouse. The lawyer refused to reveal what questions Devaud had put to Borodin at this hearing, although they did say he asked “the same kind of questions”.

Devaud told swissinfo he had asked for more detailed information about the bank accounts through which the money had passed.

Three other accused – two former Swiss bankers and a lawyer – appeared alongside Borodin. They are suspected of helping him to launder the money. Another of the key accused, Beghjet Pacolli, the head of the Swiss firm Mabetex, was given permission not to attend.

Devaud went on to explain that Pacolli’s presence had not been required because his questioning mainly concerned Mercata’s role in the affair.

Borodin, a Kremlin property manager under Yeltsin, is accused of laundering kickbacks worth $25 million from Mabetex and another Swiss company, Mercata, which he is alleged to have received in exchange lucrative construction contracts to renovate the Kremlin.

The 54 year old, who currently holds the nebulous title of secretary-general of the Russian-Belarus union, was arrested in New York on a Swiss warrant last January as he arrived to attend the inauguration of President George W Bush.

He was extradited to Geneva. He spent six days in custody before being freed on bail of SFr5 million ($2.85 million), which was paid by the Russian authorities.

by Roy Probert