U.S. Defendant Asks Delay in Izvestia Trial

Attorneys for California businessman Raphael Gregorian have asked for a delay in the trial of a defamation suit filed against him by Izvestia, the official government newspaper.

The request was made by Gerald Kroll, a Los Angeles lawyer, to the Moscow city court where the trial was scheduled to start today. Kroll’s telexed message said that Gregorian never was served with a summons or a copy of Izvestia’s claims and supporting documents.

Gregorian’s firm, California International Trade or CIT, lost its accreditation to do business in the Soviet Union in 1984 after Izvestia ran an article accusing him of spying. Gregorian then successfully sued Izvestia for libel in California courts and was awarded nearly $500,000 in damages.

Tass, the official news agency, said that Gregorian would be allowed to defend himself against the Izvestia lawsuit, either in person or through legal counsel.

Kroll argued, however, that Gregorian needed a copy of the claim and time to prepare a defense of the suit. He also requested permission for Gregorian to be represented by an American attorney since, he said, “It will be impossible for Mr. Gregorian to retain a Soviet attorney.”