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Boris Berezovsky inquest: Roman Abramovich legal loss hit tycoon | Boris Berezovsky inquest: Roman Abramovich legal loss hit tycoon |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A Russian tycoon was a "broken man" in the months before his death after losing a legal fight with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, an inquest has heard. | A Russian tycoon was a "broken man" in the months before his death after losing a legal fight with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, an inquest has heard. |
Boris Berezovsky, 67, was found on the bathroom floor of his Ascot home last year with a ligature around his neck. | Boris Berezovsky, 67, was found on the bathroom floor of his Ascot home last year with a ligature around his neck. |
The inquest in Windsor heard from his bodyguard who said he was "very low" in the four months before he died. | |
In 2012, he lost a £3bn ($4.7bn) damages claim against Abramovich.. | |
The tycoon amassed a fortune in the 1990s following the privatisation of state assets after the collapse of Soviet communism. | The tycoon amassed a fortune in the 1990s following the privatisation of state assets after the collapse of Soviet communism. |
But his wealth is thought to have considerably diminished in recent years, leaving him struggling to pay debts in the wake of costly court cases. | |
Decapitated chauffeur | Decapitated chauffeur |
Avi Navama, Mr Berezovsky's bodyguard of six years, told the inquest at Windsor Guildhall that he was "very low" and "depressed" in the time before his death. | Avi Navama, Mr Berezovsky's bodyguard of six years, told the inquest at Windsor Guildhall that he was "very low" and "depressed" in the time before his death. |
He said he was £200m in debt and complained he was not a billionaire, but "the poorest man in the world". | |
Mr Navama's wife, Zoe Watson, also described changes in Mr Berezovsky's behaviour. | Mr Navama's wife, Zoe Watson, also described changes in Mr Berezovsky's behaviour. |
In a witness statement read before the court, she said: "The Mr Berezovsky I knew was a dynamic, larger than life personality who became someone who withdrew into himself and became a shell of the man I once knew." | In a witness statement read before the court, she said: "The Mr Berezovsky I knew was a dynamic, larger than life personality who became someone who withdrew into himself and became a shell of the man I once knew." |
But following the loss to Mr Abramovich, he "looked broken" and was taking strong anti-depressants, she said. | But following the loss to Mr Abramovich, he "looked broken" and was taking strong anti-depressants, she said. |
The coroner opened the hearing by stating he discounted theories in some press reports that Mr Berezovsky had faked his own death. | The coroner opened the hearing by stating he discounted theories in some press reports that Mr Berezovsky had faked his own death. |
Police confirmed the Russian exile's cause of death was "consistent with hanging". | Police confirmed the Russian exile's cause of death was "consistent with hanging". |
Mr Berezovsky survived numerous assassination attempts during his life, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur. | Mr Berezovsky survived numerous assassination attempts during his life, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur. |
He emigrated to the UK in 2000 and was granted political asylum in 2003 on the grounds that his life would be in danger in Russia. | He emigrated to the UK in 2000 and was granted political asylum in 2003 on the grounds that his life would be in danger in Russia. |
Following his death, specialist officers in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances examined his country mansion before declaring it safe. | Following his death, specialist officers in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear substances examined his country mansion before declaring it safe. |
Mr Berezovsky was a former Kremlin power broker whose fortunes went into dramatic decline as Vladimir Putin established himself as Russian president. | |
He had played a role in Mr Putin's rise in the late 1990s, but went into opposition and then self-imposed exile in the UK as the new president consolidated his power. | |
He remained a wanted man in Russia until his death and was, for a long time, dedicated to opposing the Russian leader. | |
The inquest continues. |