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Chichvarkin Case Closed

The Investigative Committee closed on Monday a case against Yevgeny Chichvarkin, former owner of the Yevroset mobile phone retailer who was charged with extortion and kidnapping, Interfax said, citing the businessman’s lawyer.

Nine other Yevroset employees were charged over the same incident, but a court cleared them in November, ruling that no crime had taken place. The Supreme Court upheld the acquittal last week.

Chichvarkin has said the charges were fabricated by corrupt police officials looking to take control of his business. He sold his percent stake in Yevroset to Alexander Mamut for an undisclosed sum in 2008 and moved to Britain, where he was fighting extradition to Russia.

Chichvarkin said Monday that he wanted to return to Russia. He also said he might sue for damages over the case against him. 

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