Putin denies romance reports, Moscow paper shut

By Dmitry Solovyov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Moscow newspaper that reported Vladimir Putin had divorced his wife and planned to marry an Olympic gymnast was closed by its publishers on Friday, just hours after the Russian president angrily denied the report.

Moskovsky Korrespondent said last week Putin had secretly divorced his 50-year-old wife, Lyudmila, and would wed Alina Kabayeva, a 24-year-old Olympic gold medallist in rhythmic gymnastics, in the summer.

The 55-year-old Kremlin leader reacted furiously when asked about the report at a news briefing in Sardinia with Italian prime minister-elect, Silvio Berlusconi.

"There is not one word of truth in what you have said," he told the journalist who asked the question.

"I have always reacted negatively to those who with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies prowl into others' lives," the former KGB spy said.

Until the news briefing in Italy, most of the Russian media had not touched the story in Moskovsky Korrespondent, a racy tabloid owned by pro-government deputy Alexander Lebedev.

The newspaper quoted society sources as saying plans were being laid in St Petersburg, Putin's home town, for a lavish summer wedding.

On Friday it at first defended its story and said editorial staff did not intend to apologise "despite pressure from people linked to the owner of the paper".