Brother of Yuri Luzhkov's wife convicted for illegal deal

After the verdict was announced Baturin told Itar-Tass that he would not appeal the verdict immediately. "I might file a surveillance appeal some time later," Baturin said. He said he does not take the verdict too much to heart. "It is a mere strict verdict damaging his personal record, but no more than that," Baturin said.

The court said in its resolution that in June 2008 Baturin was paid 23.8 million roubles for real estate - 211 square meters of floor space in Tverskaya -Yamskaya street, Baturin sold to a family, but did not fulfil his obligations. Three days after Baturin received the money he sold the same residential block to another person, Director of "Gazstroicomplex" enterprise Dmitry Zuravlyov, which Baturin confirmed in a written acknowledgment.

Baturin pleaded not guilty to a criminal charge against him, saying it was " a frame-up against a practically honest person and that the just court would put things in their proper places."

Dmitry Zhuravlyov, who received full compensation from Baturin for the thwarted deal, declared in court that he has no claims to Baturin and even asked to drop a criminal case against Baturin because of "the absence of elements of crime in Baturin's conduct".

Baturin was put on trial under an article of the Criminal Code which carries punishment for fraud deals, but since this article envisages no reconciliation between the conflicting sides court proceedings against Baturin were continued.