Speaking to journalists during his official trip to Spain, Mr Putin commented on the arrest of Vladimir Gusinsky, Chairman of the Board of Media Most, who was detained in Moscow on a warrant by the Prosecutor-General’s Office.
“As for the arrest of Mr Gusinsky, it is hardly a benefit for me, as I have come here to discuss quite different matters. For me, it came unexpected. I hope the prosecutors had sufficient grounds for their actions. I also hope they have acted within the law,” the president said.
Commenting on the first round of negotiations with Jose Maria Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister, President Putin noted he was pleased with the openness of his Spanish counterpart and with his readiness to discuss any issues. The President said Russia-EU relations and bilateral cooperation between Russia and Spain, primarily the economic one, were the subjects of the meeting.