TODAY: Gazprom hits back at European Commission as share price falls; Putin gives interview, flies with cranes; Rosneft begins construction of Far East petrochemicals plant; beverage company investigated on Berezovsky links; Iran to take control of Bushehr; Orthodox priest accused of violence.

Gazprom has hit back at the European Commission,which opened antitrust proceedings against it this week, pointing out that ‘Gazprom is an institution set up outside the jurisdiction of the EC’, and insisting that it ‘scrupulously abides by all the provisions of international law’, although it did not deny breaking EU antitrust laws.  The probe has led to the company’s biggest share drop in five weeks.  President Vladimir Putin has given an interview to the state run television channel Russia Today, his first since his May inauguration, to be broadcast later today.  Pre-released quotes show Putin denying responsibility for the Pussy Riot sentencing.  This coincides with his latest pro-wildlife stunt of flying with endangered cranes.  He also commented that Russia’s World Trade Organisation membership will be used ‘to participate more broadly in setting the global trade rules’.