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Boris Berezovsky death: Chemical hazard police search house Boris Berezovsky death: Chemical hazard police give house all-clear
(about 3 hours later)
Police with expertise in environments contaminated with chemical, biological and nuclear material are searching the house of the late exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky. The home of the late exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky has been given the all-clear after it was searched by police with expertise in environments contaminated with chemical, biological and nuclear material.
Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found dead on Saturday and police are currently treating his death as unexplained.Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found dead on Saturday and police are currently treating his death as unexplained.
His body remains at the Berkshire house while the search - described as a precaution - takes place. The majority of a cordon around his Berkshire house has now been lifted.
He emigrated to the UK in 2000 after falling out with Russia's president.He emigrated to the UK in 2000 after falling out with Russia's president.
The business tycoon amassed a fortune in the 1990s after the privatisation of state assets following the collapse of Soviet Communism. Mr Berezovsky's body remained at the property while the search - described by police as a precaution - was carried out.
'Nothing of concern'
Supt Simon Bowden, of Thames Valley Police, thanked residents near the Ascot property for their patience and apologised for inconvenience.
"However we needed to ensure that all precautions were taken prior to entering the property.
"I am pleased to say the CBRN officers found nothing of concern in the property and we are now progressing the investigation as normal," he said.
Boris Berezovsky amassed a fortune in the 1990s after the privatisation of state assets following the collapse of Soviet Communism.
He survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur.He survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur.
In 2003 he won political asylum to stay in Britain on the grounds that his life would be in danger in Russia.In 2003 he won political asylum to stay in Britain on the grounds that his life would be in danger in Russia.
The tycoon's wealth is thought to have considerably diminished in recent years, leaving him struggling to pay debts in the wake of costly court cases.The tycoon's wealth is thought to have considerably diminished in recent years, leaving him struggling to pay debts in the wake of costly court cases.
Litvinenko's friendLitvinenko's friend
In 2011, Mr Berezovsky reportedly lost more than £100m in a divorce settlement. And, last year, he lost a £3bn ($4.7bn) damages claim against Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.In 2011, Mr Berezovsky reportedly lost more than £100m in a divorce settlement. And, last year, he lost a £3bn ($4.7bn) damages claim against Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.
In an interview with a Forbes magazine journalist Mr Berezovsky gave on the eve of his death, he said his life no longer made sense and he wished he could return to Russia.In an interview with a Forbes magazine journalist Mr Berezovsky gave on the eve of his death, he said his life no longer made sense and he wished he could return to Russia.
On Saturday a Kremlin spokesman said that Mr Berezovsky had recently written to Mr Putin, saying he wanted to go home.On Saturday a Kremlin spokesman said that Mr Berezovsky had recently written to Mr Putin, saying he wanted to go home.
Mr Berezovsky's body was reportedly found in a bath on Saturday afternoon. An ambulance was called to his Ascot house at 15:18 GMT.Mr Berezovsky's body was reportedly found in a bath on Saturday afternoon. An ambulance was called to his Ascot house at 15:18 GMT.
Thames Valley police said: "Specially trained officers are currently at the scene, including CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear] trained officers, who are conducting a number of searches as a precaution."
Supt Stuart Greenfield said: "We are aware the cordon is causing disruption to local residents and we apologise for any inconvenience, but it is important we take all necessary measures to ensure a full and thorough investigation can be carried out.
"I would like to reassure residents that we are confident there is no risk to the wider community."
He said the property was part of a large estate, so a number of roads were closed "and will remain so for the time being".
Mr Berezovsky was a close friend of murdered Russian emigre and former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died in 2006 after he was poisoned with the radioactive material polonium-210 while drinking tea at a London meeting.Mr Berezovsky was a close friend of murdered Russian emigre and former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, who died in 2006 after he was poisoned with the radioactive material polonium-210 while drinking tea at a London meeting.
Without naming Mr Berezovsky, the Kremlin has accused its foreign-based opponents of organising the assassination. It was thought that Russia was, in part referring, to Mr Berezovsky.Without naming Mr Berezovsky, the Kremlin has accused its foreign-based opponents of organising the assassination. It was thought that Russia was, in part referring, to Mr Berezovsky.
He denied the allegation and accused Mr Putin of personally being behind Mr Litvinenko's death.He denied the allegation and accused Mr Putin of personally being behind Mr Litvinenko's death.
Russian media have described Mr Berezovsky's death as "the end of an era".Russian media have described Mr Berezovsky's death as "the end of an era".
On its website, the pro-Kremlin paper Komsomolskaya Pravda describes Mr Berezovsky as having been "clever, cunning, resourceful... a master of chaos".On its website, the pro-Kremlin paper Komsomolskaya Pravda describes Mr Berezovsky as having been "clever, cunning, resourceful... a master of chaos".
Meanwhile, Novaya Gazeta - which is normally critical of the Kremlin - described him as someone who "viewed Russia as a chess board", albeit one on which "only he would be allowed to move the pieces".Meanwhile, Novaya Gazeta - which is normally critical of the Kremlin - described him as someone who "viewed Russia as a chess board", albeit one on which "only he would be allowed to move the pieces".