The brother of the wife of ousted Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov has called on Russia's investigative committee to probe the "criminal activity" of his sister, Yelena Baturina.
Businessman Viktor Baturin says his sister's construction company, Inteko, owes him 3.5 billion rubles ($117 million), Kommersant daily reported on Friday, adding that some experts believe he is looking to settle old scores.
The siblings founded Inteko as a plastics company in 1991, but Baturin pulled out in 2007 after two years of legal wrangling. Inteko's securities were divided, landing him with $500 million worth of its "non-Moscow assets."
In a letter to lead investigator Alexander Bastrykin, Baturin called for a "thorough investigation" of Baturina, who he accuses of taking his 24 percent share of Inteko. He also alleges that the company has failed to pay his salary.
"There is no point in commenting on the ramblings of a madman," Inteko's press service was quoted as saying by Kommersant.
Baturin said he decided to make his accusations following the dismissal of Luzhkov, Kommersant reported. Critics of the couple say Baturina made her billions because her marriage to the Moscow mayor gave her unparalleled access to the city's lucrative construction sector.
President Medvedev fired Luzhkov last week over "loss of confidence" after weeks of backbiting between the Kremlin and Moscow City Hall.
Luzhkov and Baturina are facing possible criminal prosecution as investigators have launched a probe into a property deal involving Inteko.
MOSCOW, October 8 (RIA Novosti)
