Russian oligarch Aleksandr Lebedev to acquire London daily newspaper Evening Standard

Russian billionaire Aleksandr Lebedev, former KGB agent, is about to take over the Evening Standard daily newspaper, thus becoming the first Russian oligarch to hold a large British publication, The Guardian announced. According to the article, Lebedev will take over the control stock after an entire year of secret negotiations with Lord Rothermere, the owner of Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT).

„Under the terms of the deal Lebedev will purchase 76% of the newspaper, with the Associated Newspapers group retaining 24%. His son Evgeny, who lives in London, is due to sign the deal with Daily Mail & General Trust tomorrow. The agreement will make Lebedev the paper’s controversial new proprietor”, The Guardian reads.