MOSCOW, November 16 - RAPSI, Alyona Yegorova. A commercial court dismissed the lawsuit by entrepreneur Yevgeny Grafeyev against a major telecommunications services operator seeking 12.5 percent of its preferred stock and 2.5 percent of its common shares as well as 10 million euro in moral damages, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) on Wednesday.

According to Grafeyev, he entered into a contract with MTS on August 17, 2001. The contract was, for the purchase of 1,250 preferred and 250 common shares in Mobile Communications Systems. He paid MTS 4,668,000 rubles under the contract.

Grafeyev has maintained that he was both tricked and forced into signing the contract.

MTS earlier stated that it has the evidence to prove it acted in good faith.

The Moscow Commercial Court held against Grafeyev on November 22, deciding that the statute of limitations barred his claim. Additionally, it held that Grafeyev failed to substantiate his claim that he suffered 10 million euro in moral damages.

The Moscow Commercial Court held against Grafeyev on November 22, 2010, deciding that the statute of limitations barred his claim.

Grafeyev has challenged the judgment.