MOSCOW, August 6 - RAPSI. The court sentenced in absentia former Eldorado Chief Accountant Mikhail Adven to five years in prison for $14mln tax evasion, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) on Monday.

Eldorado is Russia's largest retail chain selling household appliances and electronic devices. It operates over 600 stores.

Investigators said Advena and other defendants in the case falsified Eldorado's tax returns.

The tax authorities investigated Eldorado's activities between late 2006 and March 2011. The media reported earlier that Eldorado was suspected of tax evasion worth from 8 ($250.4 million) to 15 billion rubles ($469.57 million). The retailer said the tax authorities have not claimed more than 8 billion rubles. Eldorado has accused its vendors of being responsible. Advena refused to attend the hearings.