By Timothy Heritage MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian media magnate Alexander Lebedev goes on trial on Tuesday in a case he portrays as President Vladimir Putin's revenge for criticizing the Kremlin and a warning to other rich businessmen. The financial backer of Britain's Independent and London Evening Standard newspapers faces up to five years in jail if he is convicted on charges of hooliganism and political hatred over a televised punch-up in 2011.

Russian media magnate Alexander Lebedev, who owns newspapers in Russia and Britain, went on trial Thursday for assault against a fellow tycoon but the judge sent the case back to prosecutors to rectify procedural violations. The decision was a temporary respite for Lebedev, who could be jailed for up to five years on charges of assault and hooliganism for the bizarre attack during a televised talk show.

Russia suspended on Friday the operations of Red Wings, controlled by liberal billionaire Alexander Lebedev, after the company's passenger jet crashed in December killing five of its crew members. The state air transport agency said it was suspending the company's operations because Red Wings was experiencing financial problems which precluded it from ensuring proper maintenance of its fleet. "Red Wings is experiencing a deficit of financial resources to ensure the current operations," Rosaviation said following a probe into the airline after the December 29 crash.