Libel suit against TV presenter withdrawn

Julia Taratuta, Kommersant, 23.05.2008

Valery Boyev, a member of the presidential administration, has withdrawn his claims of libel against TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov. The defendant’s lawyers are convinced that Boyev is unwilling to make public new testimony about the pressure the presidential administration exerts on the courts. Following the appearance in court of Yelena Valyavina, the deputy chair of the Supreme Arbitration Court, three more witnesses were due to appear on Monday, 26 May.

The lawsuit was withdrawn on Tuesday, as the defence was told on Thursday. The reasons for this decision will only be revealed at the hearing in the Dorogomilovsky district court in Moscow on Monday.