Murder case dogs Russian minister
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PHIL REEVES
Moscow
Hours before he was due to set off for the US to hammer out details over his nation's role in a Bosnian peace-keeping force, Pavel Grachev, Russia's Defence Minister, was battling on a different front at home - in a politically explosive libel case.
After being ordered to court, first by a judge and then by President Boris Yeltsin, General Grachev yesterday made a brief appearance in a Moscow courtroom to complain he had been "insulted" by an article in a Russian newspaper which accused him of theft.
The roots of the dispute lie in an unsolved scandal over the assassination over a year ago of Dmitry Kholodov, a reporter with Moskovsky Komsomolets. Kholodov had been investigating corruption in the Russian army during its withdrawal from eastern Germany when he received an anonymous call telling him to pick up a briefcase at a railway station. The case blew up in his face. Moskovsky Komsomolets then accused the minister of illegally receiving a Mercedes paid for by military funds. "A thief should be in jail and not in charge of the Defence Ministry", it wrote.
The general decided to sue, but failed to turn up at the hearings. A judge ordered him to court but the general demurred. President Yeltsin then intervened, ordering him to appear. The case will go on, although to the horror of some journalists, the editor of Moskovsky Komsomolets recently apologised on television to General Grachev.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments