Russian-Israeli billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak has been indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering.
He is accused of seeking to buy a Dutch company without revealing his role in financing the deal, in contravention of Israel's laws on money laundering.
Prosecutors say the alleged fraud came to more than $170m (£106m).
Mr Gaydamak, who is reportedly in Russia, has denied the charge and said he will go back to Israel to stand trial and prove his innocence.
A statement issued by his lawyer said Mr Gaydamak would show "that he is being wrongfully persecuted".
Mr Gaydamak is one Israel's best-known businessmen, with investments in sports teams, and high-profile charitable donations.
He abandoned a foray into politics after running unsuccessfully for mayor of Jerusalem last year.
Mr Gaydamak, who settled in Israel in 1972, has a large following among the country's approximately one million Russian emigres.
He has also championed the interests of both Israel's s Orthodox Jews and Israeli-Arabs
He is also wanted in France in connection with an investigation into alleged arms deals with Angola. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8285316.stm
Monday, 5 October 2009
Israeli tycoon charged with fraud
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