Russian businessman on gun, ammo possession charges

A Russian businessman who allegedly had a gun and ammunition without licence at a home in Bel Air, Georgetown was on Monday granted $250,000 bail by Acting Chief Magistrate Cecil Sullivan.

Vladimir Podberezski, 40, of 41 Begonia Avenue, Bel Air Park pleaded not guilty to two unlawful possession charges at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on January 18 he had in his possession one .32 revolver and seven .32 live rounds of ammunition without a firearm licence.

Attorney-at-law Mishka Puran who represented Podberezski, told the court in her application for bail that three persons were in the home at the time. The police, she said, decided to charge her client alone because he was sleeping on a couch which was closest to the weapon. She added that after seeking advice the police let the other two men go and her client was charged.

She stated further that her client was an investor in Guyana and will be introducing a large company here. The company, the counsel stated, is now being set up and will offer jobs to 1,000-2,000 Guyanese.

She concluded that the defendant is not a flight risk since he has significant ties in Guyana. Police Prosecutor Maxine Graham asked that bail be refused, and restated what counsel had said that on seeking advice the accused was charged and he is a businessman. She said the prosecution is concerned that if he is granted bail he will have no fixed place of abode since from all indications he will be moving because of problems with the landlady. Attorney-at-law Vic Puran then stood up and said that he will undertake to keep Podberezski with him. He asked that the defendant be required to report to the police once per week and stated that the police still have his travel documents.

The magistrate after listening to both sides stated that Podberezski will have to report to the Kitty Police Station or a police station in mining district number three. He has to return to court on March 14.