On April 25, 2008, Nezavisimaya Gazeta published an article titled "Will Marta Face a Lawsuit?" The article said, in part:
- "...They managed to talk Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder into signing a cooperation agreement between Marta and REWE. Later, this fact was repeatedly used by Marta managers as a solid argument;"
- "Those who are slow-witted and incredulous were reminded of "funny" rumours about Georgy Trefilov's marriage to one of Mr Putin's daughters;"
- "Surprisingly, it was the Elekskor company that, on the brink of bankruptcy, acted as a guarantor of Marta's huge funded loan contracts;"
- "Without the support of its patrons, Marta will face long and hopeless court hearings, because during the years of his business activity, Mr Trefilov never hesitated to action uncomfortable people and therefore acquired many enemies;"
- "Last week, we learned that the so-called case of Maxim Vasilyev would be presented to the court. Vasilyev is the president and co-owner of the Neftekhimprom holding company; he was arrested and accused of misappropriating $500,000 at the suggestion of Mr Trefilov;"
- "Until recently, Maksim Vasilyev's case has been considered to be ‘the triumph of Trefilov's resource';"
- "Mr Putin's relative", "a friend of Schroeder", "not very successful, mediocre businessman"
We admit that the above phrases and cited facts are incorrect, because Mr Trefilov and his affiliated people did not commit the actions described above.
Nezavisimaya Gazeta's editorial board would like to apologise to Mr Trefilov for publishing incorrect and inaccurate facts.