‘Stolen’ Boris Berezovsky assets targeted by Russia

 
FILE - In this Wednesday, March, 10, 2010 file photo, self-exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky leaves the High Court in London after winning his libel case against a Russian broadcaster that accused him of masterminding the murder of a former Russian agent in London. Russiaís transition from a Kremlin-controlled economy to a free market in the 1990s brought on a wave of contract killings as criminals, entrepreneurs, and corrupt officials tried muscle each other out of lucrative businesses. The recent death of 67-year old Boris Berezovsky, which remains unexplained, has revived fears that the assassins that have long stalked oligarchs and opposition figures back in Russia have been making their home in the U.K.
AP

Russia is to pursue international legal action for the return of assets that Boris Berezovsky allegedly “stole” before becoming an exile in London in 2000, it emerged today.

The country’s state prosecutor announced the move three days after the 67-year-old oligarch was found dead at his home in Ascot, Berkshire.

Last night police said a post-mortem examination found that Mr Berezovsky died of injuries “consistent with hanging”, and the Home Office pathologist found nothing to indicate a violent struggle. The oligarch was found dead on a bathroom floor at his £20 million home last Saturday after a bodyguard became concerned for his welfare and smashed down the door.

Today Alexander Zvyagintsev, a senior official in the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, said it would continue “legal action aimed at bringing back to Russia the assets that Berezovsky and his accomplices illegally acquired and legalized abroad”. The move could strike at Berezovsky’s two ex-wives and one former long-term partner, as well as his six children. Most live in Britain, though Russia has also identified assets in France and Switzerland.

The state claims Berezovsky participated in a “criminal group” and he was sentenced in absentia to six years in jail for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from airline Aeroflot, and to 13 years over claims he stole thousands of cars from manufacturer Avtovaz.

In 2011, assets worth more than $320 million belonging to Berezovsky were frozen in several countries, said the deputy prosecutor general.

Some friends say they believe Mr Berezovsky was murdered for speaking out against regime of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

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