Head of New Economic School in Moscow leaves over Yukos prosecution

A leading Russian economist and rector of the New Economic School Sergey Guriev has reportedly resigned and left Russia. Local media suggest his departure from the country may be related to the second Yukos case.

First reports on Guriev’s sudden resignation and departure
appeared on Wednesday. The media assumed that Guriev’s move was
out of fear of prosecution in Russia in relation to the second
Yukos case, in which he had participated as an expert.

Vedomosti business daily claims Guriev left Russia out of fear
that his negative conclusion on the second verdict for Mikhail
Khodorkovsky might leave him with accusations of obstructing
justice.

According to Gazeta.ru, sources familiar with the situation say
that Guriev and a group of other experts face pressure from law
enforcers, after they had examined the verdict in the Yukos case
in 2011 upon the request of the Human Rights Council. According
to the sources quoted by the publication the Investigative
Committee intends to reveal whether the experts were financed
from Yukos funds or from abroad.

On Wednesday the economist wrote on his Facebook page that he’s
currently abroad. “Better in Paris than in Krasnokamensk,”
he wrote referring to the city, where in 2005-2006 former Yukos
owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky was serving his prison term.

On Thursday the Investigative Committee confirmed to the news
agencies, that some time ago Guriev had been summoned for
questioning on the Yukos case.The head of the New Economic School
did not comment on the reports of his resignation. Neither has
the School’s press service, which said Guriev was on a vacation
and formally remained the head of the institution.

Guriev’s lawyer Ruslan Kozhura confirmed to Interfax that Guriev
had been questioned at the Investigative Committee, among other
things the questions touched on his expert conclusion in the
Yukos case for the HRC.

Other opinions suggest that the runaway economist was thus
“punished” for his outspoken support of Russian opposition
activist Aleksey Navalny, who faces court case over alleged
embezzlement.

Guriev is a member of the Russian government’s expert council and
a member of the personnel policy council of Moscow City Hall. The
Human Rights Council earlier summoned Guriev as an expert on the
second Yukos case. Guriev said the former Yukos head Mikhail
Khodorkovsky had been convicted unlawfully.

This article originally appeared on: RT