Yury Luzhkov said on Wednesday he will not appeal to the Russian Supreme Court against the presidential decree removing him as Moscow mayor despite earlier reports that he planned to do so.
In his first interview since he was given the ax, Luzhkov also told Russian magazine The New Times he will continue to be involved in politics but will not run for president in 2012.
President Dmitry Medvedev fired Luzhkov, who had been mayor for more than 18 years, on Tuesday, citing "loss of confidence." The decision came after an unprecedented smear campaign by state-backed TV, accusing Luzhkov of negligence, callousness and corruption.
State Duma Deputy Iosif Kobzon, a well-known singer who is a close friend of Luzhkov's, told RIA Novosti earlier on Wednesday that the ex-mayor wanted to appeal Medvedev's order to dismiss him.
A presidential decree can be appealed only in the Supreme Court.
Commentators say Medvedev's sacking of Luzhkov, long one of the most powerful politicians in Russia, may have been a bid to boost his authority ahead of the 2012 presidential elections.
MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti)
