Platon Lebedev

Platon Lebedev
Born	(1956-11-29) November 29, 1956 Russia
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Known for	Former CEO of Group Menatep, Yukos board member

Platon Leonidovich Lebedev (Russian: Плато́н Леони́дович Ле́бедев; born 29 November 1956) is a Russian entrepreneur and former chief executive officer of Group Menatep. He was found guilty of tax evasion, money laundering, and embezzlement in two separate cases and was incarcerated from July 2003 until January 2014. Lebedev is widely recognized as a close collaborator of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Early life

Lebedev completed his studies at the Academy of National Economy Plekhanov in Moscow in 1981. He was employed by the Foreign Trade Department "Zarubezhgeologia" under the Soviet Ministry of Geology until 1989, where he met Leonid Nevzlin, who later introduced him to Khodorkovsky. Between 1989 and 1992, Lebedev managed the currency and finance division at Khodorkovsky's Bank Menatep, rising to the roles of president and board member from 1993 to 1995. From 1996 onward, he served on the board of the oil company Yukos. Lebedev held the position of CEO at Group Menatep Limited, Yukos’s main shareholder, from 2002 until his detention in 2003.

Starting in 1997, Lebedev owned approximately a 7% interest in Group Menatep Limited (currently GML Limited), which holds a controlling 51% stake in Yukos. The other four ultimate beneficiaries include Leonid Nevzlin, Mikhail Brudno, Vladimir Dubov, and Vasily Shakhnovsky.

Conviction and imprisonment

On 2 July 2003, while serving as chairman of Menatep’s board, Lebedev was called in as a witness during an embezzlement probe but was arrested at a hospital on allegations of unlawfully acquiring a 20% share in JSC Apatit.

On 31 May 2005, he was sentenced to nine years for tax evasion. In 2009, additional accusations involving embezzlement and money laundering were brought against him; he denied these charges amid widespread speculation that they were politically motivated.

On 27 December 2010, both Lebedev and Mikhail Khodorkovsky received sentences of thirteen years for money laundering and embezzlement tied to the diversion of 218 million tonnes of oil from Yukos subsidiaries Uganskneftegaz, Tomskneft, and Samaraneftegaz.

While Khodorkovsky was freed in December 2013, Lebedev’s release followed on 24 January 2014. Their liberation was interpreted as a possible indicator of reform under President Dmitry A. Medvedev, who aimed to improve Russia’s legal framework to attract foreign capital.

On 24 May 2011, Amnesty International designated both Lebedev and Khodorkovsky as prisoners of conscience, criticizing the integrity of their second trial and urging their release upon completion of their sentences.

Lebedev’s jail term was shortened by more than three years on 7 August 2012 due to amendments in Russian criminal legislation that reduced penalties for his crimes.

On 25 October 2013, the Berlin International Literature Festival organized a worldwide reading event advocating for Lebedev, Khodorkovsky, and others who claimed political imprisonment in Russia.

Release

On 23 January 2014, the Russian Supreme Court ordered a reduction in Lebedev’s sentence and mandated his release. Nonetheless, Supreme Court Judge Pyotr Serkov upheld the ruling that required both Lebedev and Khodorkovsky to pay outstanding tax debts amounting to 17 billion roubles ($500 million; £300 million). Immediately after regaining his freedom, Lebedev declared in an interview with Ren TV his plans to reengage in business ventures.

In February 2015, Lebedev conducted his first press conference since release on 18 February in Moscow.