Tycoon Announces Buyout of Russia’s Top Newspaper
Business tycoon Boris A. Berezovsky claimed full control Friday over Russia’s most prestigious daily newspaper.
Berezovsky, who plays a large, behind-the-scenes role in Russian politics and is one of President Boris N. Yeltsin’s closest allies, said he had bought a controlling interest in the Kommersant publishing house through his company, LogoVaz, the Interfax news agency reported.
The company includes the Kommersant business daily and several magazines. The Kommersant newspaper has been widely considered Russia’s premier daily.
The former editor of the newspaper, Raf Shakirov, accused Berezovsky of arranging his ouster earlier this week. Under Shakirov, the daily was sharply critical of Berezovsky, accusing the magnate of meddling in government affairs.
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