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Russian media magnate Alexander Lebedev was ordered yesterday to do 150 hours of community service, avoiding a jail sentence after being convicted of battery for punching a rival during a television talk show.
Lebedev, who owns several major newspapers in Russia and Britain, assaulted construction magnate Sergei Polonsky in September 2011.

The maverick banker and former intelligence officer who owns Moscow's opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta with former leader Mikhail Gorbachev, has labelled the case a fabrication.
Nearly two years ago, Lebedev appeared alongside flamboyant Polonsky in a talk show on NTV channel. When an argument broke out, he got up and punched Polonsky several times, making him fall out of his chair.
Lebedev later justified the action by saying Polonsky had behaved in a threatening manner.
Defence lawyer Genri Reznik vowed to appeal the verdict, saying the entire case was an effort to punish Lebedev for investing in Novaya Gazeta.
An interior ministry source said Lebedev would most likely be sent to sweep the streets and pick up garbage.
But Lebedev said he wouldn't do such labour, saying he would only agree to work in the Novaya Gazeta newsroom or with the Russian gas giant Gazprom, where he has investments.
He also owns the British papers The Evening Standard and The Independent.


Russian tycoon Alexander Lebedev sentenced for assault

Russian media tycoon Alexander Lebedev speaks with his lawyer Hernry Reznik after the court hearing at the Ostankinsky district court in Moscow. Photo: EPA

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Russian media magnate Alexander Lebedev was ordered yesterday to do 150 hours of community service, avoiding a jail sentence after being convicted of battery for punching a rival during a television talk show.
