Sixty-nine forests covering 991 hectares, mostly to the west of Moscow, were offered for rent last December. The auctions were initiated by the federal forestry agency, Rosleskhoz, and organized by Moscow's forestry regulator. The starting price for the plots was under 1,000 rubles ($42.37) per 100 square meters, compared to the market rate of between $5,000 and $10,000.
"Many media outlets spread false reports of violations during forest auctions. Our clients believe the libelous campaign in the media was aimed at discrediting forestry officials, and was pre-planned," Ruslan Koblev said.
Nikolai Zyatkov, editor-in-chief of the tabloid Argumenty i Fakty, said on Monday he was ready defend the paper's position in court.
"I think we will fight this out in the courts. Society must know what is going on," he said.
In its articles, the paper had highlighted the unfairness of allowing such large deals to be decided by a small group of well-connected individuals, he said.
"We quoted the forestry chief and [deputy chief of the Russian environmental watchdog Oleg] Mitvol, and I believe this is what irked them," Zyatkov said.
The Rossiya TV channel said it had not received any accusations in writing, and refused to comment.
The auctions for lucrative forest areas have been the focus of attention both in the media and in government bodies. Former prime minister Viktor Zubkov gave instructions to Natural Resources Yury Trutnev to investigate the situation.
An official investigation was concluded in early April. As a result, Moscow forestry chief Sergei Sopin was dismissed.
The Natural Resources Ministry said the violations were recognized by Moscow's Arbitration Court. The country's top prosecutors are currently conducting a probe into the scandal.
