BRITAIN: Business magnate Mr Boris Berezovsky, sought by Russia on fraud charges, left an extradition hearing in London yesterday wearing a satirical mask of the Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin.
Mr Berezovsky (57), who was remanded on bail to reappear on May 13th, was a member of the inner circle of the former President, Mr Boris Yeltsin. He was arrested in Britain last month after Russian officials sought his extradition on $1.9 billion fraud charges.
Mr Alan Jones QC, representing Mr Berezovsky, said the request for extradition was based on political motives and his client's life would be in danger if he returned to Russia.
He appeared at Bow Street Magistrates Court alongside Mr Yuly Dubov, a co-director and former chief executive of the LogoVAZ car company, which was set up by Mr Berezovsky in 1989. The five charges focus on the sale of cars from LogoVAZ.
Mr Berezovsky, who has been living in self-imposed exile in London, used his control of Russia's main national television network and other media to help the election campaigns of Mr Yeltsin in 1996 and Mr Putin in 2001. However, he later became a fierce critic of Mr Putin, accusing him of steering Russia back to authoritarian rule, and eventually left the country.
"He lives in fear of assassination by those loyal to the Russian government, his life would be in grave danger if he returned to Russia," Mr Jones told the court.
"The history of this case is simple: it's politically motivated. The policy is, 'denounce Berezovsky as a criminal now, we'll find a crime later'."
Mr Berezovsky played a key role in implementing the 1996 peace agreement which ended Russia's first war against Chechen separatists, often acting as a go-between in helping to free hostages.
In one of his more strident attacks, he alleged that Mr Putin knew in advance of blasts in 1999 at an apartment block that were blamed on Chechen rebels.
Mr Berezovsky told a news conference following his court appearance that there was "zero chance" of him being extradited as he had total faith in the British judicial system.
"I believe that the judicial system in the UK is truly independent of the government," he said. "I believe the events of today in court and this press conference . . . actually helped me politically in Russia rather than harmed me." Mr Berezovsky had sought asylum in Britain but the application was rejected on March 28th, the court heard. Mr Jones said the decision would be appealed.
The charges allege that between January 1st, 1994, and December 31st, 1995, both defendants defrauded the administration of the Samara region (800 km from Moscow) of 60 billion roubles ($1.9 billion). - (Reuters)