A WITNESS at Alexander Lebedev's trial in Moscow today claimed that the businessman he punched on a TV chat show appeared to be high on drugs and had provoked him.
German Sterligov, also a guest on the show, said it could easily have been him in court instead because he might have struck Sergei Polonsky before Mr Lebedev, who faces up to five years in jail if convicted of hooliganism motivated by political hatred. Mr Lebedev was accompanied in court by his wife, Russian model Elena Perminova.
Mr Sterligov, one of the first millionaires after Communism crumbled, was asked if he was surprised construction tycoon Mr Polonsky seemed "high". He replied: "No — as far as I know it was quite a typical state for Polonsky."
Mr Polonsky was gesticulating during the show and his arms "were close to Lebedev's face", he added. The trial was adjourned until June 21.
