MOSCOW, March 30 - RAPSI. The authorities have extended the investigation of former Yukos lawyer Pavel Ivlev until June 12. Ivlev has been charged with involvement in money laundering and oil theft together with former Yukos head Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his business partner Platon Lebedev.

Ivlev found himself in the heart of a scandal this week after foreign media published information alleging that First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov is affiliated with financial organizations.

The ALM Feldmans legal firm, which earlier employed Ivlev, accused him of helping the media to launch an attack against Shuvalov, whom he used to represent.

The Moscow Basmanny District Court issued an arrest warrant for Ivlev in absentia in 2006. He has been on the international wanted list ever since.

Investigators have charged Ivlev with oil theft and money laundering.

Khodorkovsky and Lebedev were sentenced to 13 years in prison for the same crimes.