Russian PM Putin says Mechel evaded tax - agencies

(Repeats to detach from later separate news alert)

MOSCOW, July 28 (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday coal miner Mechel (MTL.N) had evaded taxes in Russia by using offshore companies to sell its raw materials abroad, Russian news agencies reported on Monday. Interfax quoted Putin as telling a government meeting the company had exported products at prices significantly below those in the domestic market through offshore companies. "It's a reduction of the tax base within the country, tax evasion. It's creating a deficit in the domestic market and results in an increase in the price of metallurgical products," Interfax quoted the prime minister as telling the meeting. (Reporting by Robin Paxton)