Russia knows little about alleged plotter against Berezovsky: Ambassador

Russia's Ambassador in London says the UK has not produced adequate information about the identity of the man accused of allegedly plotting the murder of Boris Berezovsky.

“The point is that the content of this copy does not disclose all the details. For instance, it does not state the nationality of the person detained. Also, it does not contain the number and other details of his passport,” said Russia's Ambassador to Britain, Yury Fedotov. 

In June, Berezovsky, who has had political asylum in London since 2003, had to leave the country for a week after the British authorities warned him his life was in danger.

Russia has been asking Britain to provide some official evidence about the report in the British media that a man of Russian origin was arrested on suspicion of plotting to kill Boris Berezovsky. Allegedly this man was detained on June 21. He was then taken to immigration officials and deported back to Russia and banned from entering the UK for ten years. 

Meanwhile, yet another arrest warrant for Boris Berezovsky has been issued by a Russian court. It is the sixth outstanding warrant against the exiled businessman.

Boris Berezovsky is accused by the General Prosecution of expropriating $US 13 MLN from a Russian bank SBS-Agro in 1997. 

The Prosecutor made the request for an arrest warrant on the grounds that while Berezovsky is free he is able to influence the investigation through his wide connections.

Having looked at the evidence, the court has agreed. The court is obliged to carry out proceedings in absentia as Berezovsky has political asylum in London, and the UK has repeatedly refused Russian extradition requests.

It is alleged he used the cash to buy property, which the prosecutor has also asked to be seized, in France. Berezovsky's defence says their client has never owned any real estate in France and only rented it. 

While Boris Berezovsky’s lawyers say the new case is farcical, Brazil has also joined the chase, issuing an arrest warrant for him on charges of money laundering.

“There is no evidence in this case whatsoever. These proceedings can cause nothing but bewilderment,” believes lawyer Semyon Aria.

The figure of Boris Berezovsky has always been shrouded with intrigue. A Russian State Duma Deputy says most of it comes from the man himself. In his newly published book, Aleksandr Khinshtein takes on the personas of Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich, a multi-millionaire and the governor of Chukotka. According to the author, most of the stories surrounding Boris Berezovsky are just myths, although there is also some truth. 

“The book details the history of Berezovsky, in particular how he became a KGB agent back in 1979, who worked with him, what information he gathered,”  explains Aleksandr Khinshtein.

Myths or facts – that remains to be seen, but the figure of Boris Berezovsky remains one of thorniest issues dividing Moscow and London.