New-York, November,19 - Russian diplomat Vladimir Kuznezov, arrested in USA in September,1 on money-laundering charges was released on a $500 thousand bail.

"Russian colleagues supported my family, came to visit me, I?m very thankful to my colleagues and friends from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, consulate general, and the secretariat of the United Nations Organization." - stated Kuznezov

Vladimir Kuznezov took the post of the chief of the United Nations` influential budget oversight committee. He has been arrested in September, 1 on suspicion of money laundering.

He was accused by a New York court for setting up an offshore company in 2000 allegedly to launder money. US prosecutors stated that Russian diplomat received money from a UN official, who had taken bribes from foreign companies.

Kuznezov didn?t plead guilty. He said: "Some mass-media link my case to the UN oil-for-food program. I would like to say that I have never been involved in this program."

Kuznezov is due to appear in court in December 12.
sections: Politics, World News