Russia Sent Appeal to Libya to Free lukoil executive

Russia Sent Appeal to Libya to Free Lukoil's Executive

01-25-2008

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asked Libya to release the head of oil giant Lukoil's overseas office in Libya who was detained in late 2007 and reportedly involved in a commercial spy case.

"I have sent yet another appeal to my Libyan counterpart. We believe that Libyan authorities... could release Alexander Tsygankov on Russian Embassy guarantees," Lavrov told a news conference.

Tsygankov was arrested in Tripoli, capital of Libya, on Nov. 25 and no official charges had been brought against him so far.

Russian business daily Vedomosti quoted a Libyan official as saying that Tsygankov's arrest and the search of the company's offices were all connected to commercial espionage ahead of a Dec. 9 tender for 12 prospective gas fields in Libya, comprising 41 blocks.

Libya holds Africa's second largest gas reserves, estimated at 1.47 trillion cubic meters.

The December tender was the first open bidding for the country's natural resources and involved 35 world-class bidders.