Russian tycoon held in French prostitution probe

LYON, France, Jan 12: A Russian co-owner of the world's biggest nickel firm is being held for questioning by French police investigating a suspected prostitution case, a French prosecutor said.

Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia's richest men, was among a group of people arrested on Tuesday in the ski resort of Courchevel, the chief prosecutor for the eastern city of Lyon, Xavier Richaud, told Reuters.

After saying on Wednesday that the group would be released shortly, Richaud said yesterday that the detention of around 10 people including Prokhorov had been extended by 48 hours while investigations continued.

''The detention has been extended until Saturday but the decision whether to charge them should be taken today,'' Richaud said.

Prokhorov is the general director and co-owner of Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel producer. Together with Russian tycoon Vladimir Potanin, Prokhorov controls the Interros financial group, the holding company for Norilsk.

Around 50 police arrested the group in an upmarket hotel, on the basis of information received and the presence of ''Russian girls accompanying Mr Prokhorov'', Richaud said.

Prokhorov was ranked the 10th richest man in Russia in the May issue of Russian Forbes, with a fortune of 7.6 billion dollars.

The head of France's investigative police, Martine Monteil, told reporters on the sidelines of an interior ministry news conference that the investigation was ongoing.

''Among those being held there is a Russian oligarch who as part of his economic and industrial management (role), entertained a lot and this entertainment also includes young Russian girls,'' she said.

Prosecutor Richaud said Prokhorov had paid for accommodation and presents and Richaud added that no wrongdoing had been proven at this point.

Prokhorov, two of his colleagues and a number of Austrians working for the travel agency that organised the holiday remained in custody yesterday, while the young women who were arrested with them were released on Wednesday, Richaud said.

Reuters