Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center
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Prior to his arrest on July 2, 2003, Platon Lebedev was director of Group MENATEP, a holding company with diversified assets of $20 billion, primarily in oil and gas, mineral fertilizers, telecommunications and information technologies, and banking and financial services. Group MENATEP was the majority shareholder of YUKOS.

Lebedev’s Career

From 1981 to 1989 Lebedev worked as Head of the Economic & Planning Department of V/O Zarubezhgeologia, the legal entity under the Ministry of Geology responsible for trade in geological resources. Lebedev graduated in 1981 from Russia's Plekhanov Academy of National Economy with a degree in Industrial Economics.

Lebedev was one of the founders of Bank MENATEP, acting as President of the Bank between 1991 and 1995. In 1996, he became Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of YUKOS, and served as Deputy Chairman of its Executive Committee and President of YUKOS Refining and Marketing from 1997 to 1999. In his role at YUKOS, Lebedev led efforts to introduce YUKOS stock on international capital markets.

Arrest and Trial

Platon Lebedev's case is politically motivated, and his arrest and prosecution were widely perceived to have been a warning to Khodorkovsky, as well as a means for the government to facilitate the re-nationalization of Russia's oil and gas industry. Lebedev's ordeal has been replete with violations of the most basic human rights.

From his arrest in his hospital bed in July 2003, the denial of independent medical attention during the trial, and his sentence to a work camp in Russia's inhospitable Arctic Circle despite his chronic health conditions, Lebedev's case has attracted international attention and concern.

Platon Lebedev was born on November 29th, 1956. He is married and has four children.