17 December 2010

Kirkorov Settles Beating Case on 2nd Try

The Moscow Times

Marina Yablokova, 29, accused Kirkorov, 43, of kicking her and dragging her by the hair during a spat over stage lights at the filming of a yet-unaired "Golden Gramophone" television show on Dec. 4.

Prominent lawyer Anatoly Kucherena, who acted as a mediator in the case, confirmed Thursday that the sides reached an agreement, but provided no details, Interfax reported.

Kirkorov will donate 10 million rubles ($325,000) to charity over the incident, RIA-Novosti said, citing an unidentified source involved in the negotiations. The deal must be approved at a court hearing next Wednesday, it said.

Kirkorov apologized to Yablokova last week, blaming the incident on “fits” caused by an undiagnosed mental disorder, and nearly reached a settlement. But the deal fell through after he later denied physically assaulting Yablokova, prompting her to file a complaint.

Both sides have claimed that their version of events is supported by a video of the incident, which remains under wraps.

“Filipp is happy everything is over and even promised a New Year gift [to Yablokova],” Kirkorov's lawyer Alexander Dobrovinsky said Thursday, RIA-Novosti reported. "He will probably sing."