Lawyer says Borodin will be back on Wednesday
A former Kremlin aide, Pavel Borodin, who is facing charges of money laundering in Switzerland, will return to Geneva on Wednesday for questioning, according to his Swiss lawyer, Dominique Poncet.
Borodin has been summoned to appear before the Geneva judge, Daniel Devaud, at 9am on Thursday.
“He absolutely intends to come,” Poncet told swissinfo. “We will be waiting for him on Wednesday and on Thursday we will be at Devaud’s office at 9am.”
Borodin’s lawyers had previously cast doubt on when their client might return, citing health reasons. The Russian was treated for heart trouble during his time in custody in the United States and in Switzerland.
Borodin was extradited to Switzerland from the US at the beginning of April to face questions about the disappearance of $25 million.
The Geneva authorities believe the cash came from two Swiss construction companies – Mercata and Mabetex – in exchange for lucrative contracts to renovate the Kremlin.
Borodin spent six days in Switzerland before being freed on bail of SFr5 million ($2.85 million), which was paid for by the Russian authorities.
At the time, the Geneva prosecutor, Bernard Bertossa, made no secret of his opposition to the decision to allow Borodin to leave Switzerland. Bertossa said he was “not optimistic” that Borodin would return.
Both Borodin and the two Swiss construction firms involved, Mabetex and Mercata, have denied any wrongdoing.
The Russian authorities dropped their own inquiry last year, saying they had insufficient evidence to proceed.
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