WINDSOR, March 27 (RIA Novosti) – A British coroner has recorded an open verdict in the death of self-exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky after hearing conflicting evidence from experts on Thursday.
Berezovsky, who had resided in self-imposed exile in Britain since 2000, died under mysterious circumstances last March.
He was found dead on the bathroom floor of his home in Ascot, southern England, with a ligature around the neck. A part of his scarf, which was used as a ligature, was attached to a shower rail.
Berkshire Coroner Peter Bedford said he could not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the tycoon was killed or committed suicide.
"I am not saying Berezovsky took his own life, I am not saying Berezovsky was unlawfully killed. What I am saying is that the burden of proof sets such a high standard it is impossible for me to say," he said.
Pathologist Simon Poole, who carried the post-mortem examination, confirmed earlier conclusions that marks on Berezovsky’s body were consistent with hanging and there were no signs of struggle.
Professor Bernd Brinkmann, a renowned German expert on hanging and asphyxiation, gave a contrary opinion. He said that the marks on the man’s neck were “far away from the typical inverse 'V' shape” seen on those who took their own life.
He believed that the businessman was strangled by someone else and the body was then hanged on the shower rail in the bathroom.
In addition, investigators failed to identify a fingerprint that someone had left in the bathroom and establish the identity of an unknown man seen outside the businessman’s house two days before he died.
Witnesses said on Wednesday that the tycoon had been depressed after losing his multibillion-dollar legal battle with Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich in August 2012.
Berezovsky sought 3 billion pounds ($5.1 billion) in compensation from Abramovich, claiming the latter had intimidated him into selling his stake in Russian oil giant Sibneft. The lawsuit was rejected as the judge called Berezovsky’s testimony “dishonest,” “unimpressive” and “inherently unreliable.”
Avi Navama, Berezovsky's bodyguard of six years, told the inquest the tycoon was "broken" by this legal failure during the last six months of his life.
Navama said that when he last saw his employer, he “looked at me with very low, tired eyes, like he doesn't know what to do.”
However, other witnesses said that the former tycoon was ready to continue his legal battle with Abramovich.
