Playing for High Stakes

[rov1100]

With Abramovich set to lose £bns if he loses the case against Berezosky what is there to stop him fleeing abroad so he can default on paying out this huge sum? I believe he is not a British citizen and Russia has looked favourably on his dealings whereas Berezosky is a wanted man in Russia.

[sandyRoe]

If he went back to Russia the people there might some day want him to explain how he got all that money. They might even want it back.

[rov1100]

As far as I know Abramovich was a sort of governor of one of the states in Russia and keeps them well supported in cash.

[jno]

I don't know, sandy - Putin's deal with the oligarchs was "You can get as rich as you want as long as you stay out of politics". The oligarchs in trouble are the ones who didn't keep to their part of the bargain.

Berezovsky has proclaimed "it is acceptable – indeed, necessary [for the rich]- to interfere directly in the political process in order to protect democracy" (clipped from Wikipedia) so you can see why Putin takes a dim view of him. Abramovich was in politics but doesn't seem to have crossed the Kremlin in the same way.

[Gromit]

If he had stayed in Russia he would be dead by now. Why the f#ck do you think he lives here? It ain't for the warm weather.

[rov1100]

Doesn't sound very much like being on the wanted list

///Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka from 2000 to 2008. It has been estimated that he spent over US$1.3 billion (€925 million) of his own money on the region, which now has one of the highest birth rates in Russia. Under Abramovich, living standards improved, schools and housing were restored and new investors were being drawn to the region.
Abramovich said that he would not run for governor again after his term of office expired in 2005, as it is "too expensive", and he rarely visits the region. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin changed the law to abolish elections for regional governors, and on 21 October 2005 Abramovich was reappointed governor for another term.

Abramovich was awarded the Order of Honour for his "huge contribution to the economic development of the autonomous district [of Chukotka]", by a decree signed by the President of Russia///

[Gromit]

// €925 million // is a lot to pay in protection money.

// Doesn't sound very much like being on the wanted list. //
Who said anything about being on a Government list. There are a lot of very shadey people about in Russia, and as this case illustrates, Abramovich stepped on a lot of toes to grab his oil and gas company. Why do you think he is buying assets in England and not in Russia?

// Chukotka... a region he rarely ever visits //
Doesn't sound like he wants to live there does it. Safer in England, even if the case does go against him.

[kinell]

i was at the high court for several weeks for another case during which abramovich was having his case heard

interestingly his ex mate had the full entourage of maybach limo and two other vehicles with bodyguards etc whilst abramovich just turned up with one other and regularly strolled outside at lunch time to pret or another close by cafe without apparently too much personal concern over his security

[NOX]

I too have seen him on a few occasions never with much security around. I really don't think he's too worried because believe me Russia's icy grip easily extends as far as the UK, so he'd be little safer here.

[rov1100]

Who says he wants to return to Russia. I'm sure there are other places in the world that would welcome him with open arms and about £8bn to bring with him. Berezosky is claiming about half of that ie £3.5bn. If he loses the case he'd be a sucker to give away half his wealth.

Abramovich chooses the West not to escape the hoodies of Russia so much as a liking for Western glamour where he can spend his dosh without bringing resentment.