String of celebrities backs Russian media tycoon at trial

MOSCOW: A Russian judge allowed a host of A-list celebrity testimonials supporting media tycoon Alexander Lebedev to be read out in court yesterday.

Keira Knightley, Elton John, Sting and Kevin Spacey wrote glowing tributes to Lebedev as he battles to avoid up to five years in jail.

At one point the Moscow trial turned into a light-hearted debate between lawyers on the merits of Knightley’s performance as tragic Russian character Anna Karenina.

This followed the actress’s written evidence which praised Lebedev for helping fund the fight against cancer.

The media magnate – whose son Evgeny owns the Independent and Evening Standard newspapers – is accused of the draconian offence of hooliganism motivated by “political hatred” in physically attacking property mogul Sergei Polonsky during a TV chat show on a Moscow channel.

A tribute from Sir Elton stated: “I have known Alexander Lebedev for 15 years. He is a decent, generous, kind and thoughtful person and a man of integrity.”

Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, called him “a highly principled and decent family man”.

The judge overruled prosecution objections to accept the Western showbiz praise for Lebedev, who yesterday denied he made serious contact with Polonsky when he lashed out at him during a heated debate. The trial continues. – Daily Mail