Alexander Temerko
Encyclopedia
Alexander Temerko is a prominent Russian businessman in the energy sector, currently a director of the UK-based company OGN Group. He was a senior executive at the Russian company Yukos
, becoming vice president in 2003 after the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky
. He left this post in 2005. The circumstances of Yukos’ collapse provoked strong international censure of the Russian government, as did the prosecution of its senior executives, including Khodorkovsky, Platon Lebedev
, and Temerko himself, who was charged with a fraud committed in 2002 and with perverting the course of justice. He was alleged to have defrauded the state-owned Rosneft
of shares in another company, Yeniseineftegaz (YNG).
As in several other cases, including those connected with Yukos (such as those of Natalia Chernysheva and Dmitry Maruev), the Russian government failed in its attempt to have Temerko extradited from the United Kingdom to stand trial in Russia. The judge in the case, Timothy Workman
, found in favour of Temerko: "I am satisfied that the request for Mr Temerko's extradition is in fact made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him for his political opinions. I am satisfied that, if he were extradited, he would be prejudiced at his trial and punished or detained by reasons of his political opinions." Temerko’s views on the energy market and the Russian economy are frequently quoted in the media, for example in the Financial Times
. He has himself contributed articles on these issues, for example in The Observer
and the Moscow Times. It was reported that the murdered former FSB
officer Alexander Litvinenko
had warned him of FSB attempts to extort money from former Yukos employees. He has in another context spoken out against corporate raiding in Russia.
YUKOS
OJSC "Yukos Oil Company" was a petroleum company in Russia which, until 2003, was controlled by Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky and a number of other prominent Russian businessmen. After Yukos was bankrupted, Khodorkovsky was convicted and sent to prison.Yukos headquarters was located in...
, becoming vice president in 2003 after the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky is a Russian prisoner, considered by some - such as Amnesty International - to have been imprisoned for political reasons, jailed until 2016 and a former Russian oligarch and businessman...
. He left this post in 2005. The circumstances of Yukos’ collapse provoked strong international censure of the Russian government, as did the prosecution of its senior executives, including Khodorkovsky, Platon Lebedev
Platon Lebedev
Platon Leonidovich Lebedev is a former CEO of Group Menatep, currently imprisoned in Russia, and is best known as a close associate of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.-Conviction:...
, and Temerko himself, who was charged with a fraud committed in 2002 and with perverting the course of justice. He was alleged to have defrauded the state-owned Rosneft
Rosneft
Rosneft is an integrated oil company majority owned by the Government of Russia. Rosneft is headquartered in Moscow’s Balchug district near the Kremlin, across the Moskva river...
of shares in another company, Yeniseineftegaz (YNG).
As in several other cases, including those connected with Yukos (such as those of Natalia Chernysheva and Dmitry Maruev), the Russian government failed in its attempt to have Temerko extradited from the United Kingdom to stand trial in Russia. The judge in the case, Timothy Workman
Timothy Workman
Senior District Judge Timothy Workman CBE is a leading British judge, a long-term stipendiary magistrate who serves as Senior District Judge and Chief Magistrate for London....
, found in favour of Temerko: "I am satisfied that the request for Mr Temerko's extradition is in fact made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him for his political opinions. I am satisfied that, if he were extradited, he would be prejudiced at his trial and punished or detained by reasons of his political opinions." Temerko’s views on the energy market and the Russian economy are frequently quoted in the media, for example in the Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
. He has himself contributed articles on these issues, for example in The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
and the Moscow Times. It was reported that the murdered former FSB
FSB
FSB may refer to:in business and economics:* Financial Stability Board, an international group of financial authorities* Swedbank, a retail banking group* Fuqua School of Business, a business school...
officer Alexander Litvinenko
Alexander Litvinenko
Alexander Valterovich Litvinenko was an officer who served in the Soviet KGB and its Russian successor, the Federal Security Service ....
had warned him of FSB attempts to extort money from former Yukos employees. He has in another context spoken out against corporate raiding in Russia.