MOSCOW, September 27 - RAPSI. The Investigative Committee has brought charges against businessman Alexander Lebedev over his fight with businessman Sergei Polonsky; Lebedev has been released on bail, the committee reports.

Lebedev punched Polonsky in the face during a live debate on the NTV television channel on September 16, 2011. Polonsky later showed a bruise on his hand and his torn jeans which he said resulted from the fight.

However, Lebedev said he merely pushed him.

A criminal case has been opened against Lebedev for "hooliganism" and "battery", carrying a maximum punishment of five years in prison.

In addition, Polonsky has filed a lawsuit against Lebedev with the High Court of Justice in London.

Lebedev was a KGB agent in London. He now owns a string of newspapers, including The Independent and The London Evening Standard. He also owns the National Reserve Bank.

In 2008 Polonsky was ranked Russia's fortieth richest man with a fortune of $4.35 billion by Forbes magazine. Polonsky headed Mirax Group, a large property development company that went bankrupt during the global economic crisis.