Berezovsky's Russian lawyer I don't give a damn

MOSCOW, July 12 (Reuters) Alexander Dudkin may have the worst legal job in Russia: he is the court-appointed lawyer for fugitive Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky.

An outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, Berezovsky is vilified in Russia, where in the past lawyers representing high-profile Kremlin opponents have themselves been put under investigation.

Judging from a newspaper interview published today, Dudkin is taking a hands-off approach to his tricky assignment.

Asked by Izvestia if he found the case interesting, he replied ''Between you and me, I absolutely don't give a damn ... All this is just a formality.'' Asked if he thought he might win the case, Dudkin said: ''Are you kidding? That's impossible.'' Dudkin was ordered by he judge trying Berezovsky in absentia for embezzlement to represent him because the multi-millionaire, who lives in Britain, did not appoint a lawyer of his own.

Dudkin, 62, told Izvestia he had no plans to contact Berezovsky about the case. He said his clients were usually vagrants and destitute people who could not afford a lawyer.

The case resumed today after an adjournment to find a lawyer for Berezovsky. The judge ordered a new adjournment until July 26 to give Dudkin an opportunity to study case files.

''I cannot say anything about whether he is guilty or not because I have not had time to familiarise myself with the case,'' Dudkin told reporters at the court.

An associate of Berezovsky, Alex Goldfarb, told Reuters today he saw the trial as a farce. ''Why legitimise it by taking part?'' Berezovsky's trial is likely to fuel a simmering diplomatic feud between Britain and Russia. Moscow is annoyed that Britain has rejected its requests to extradite the businessman.

Berezovsky also figures prominently in a related dispute over the poisoning death in London of ex-Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko last year.

British prosecutors have identified Russian Andrei Lugovoy as their chief suspect. On Tuesday Britain condemned Russia's refusal to extradite Lugovoy as ''unacceptable'' and warned it was considering unspecificed measures against Russia.

Berezovsky was a pall bearer at Litvinenko's funeral in London and has accused the Kremlin of being behind the killing, an allegation Russian officials have denied.

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