Police Probe Death Of Abramovich Associate

[the wes 7,212]

British police are today investigating the 'suspicious' death of a former business associate of Roman Abramovich.

Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, 52, was found dead in Leatherhead, Surrey, at about 11pm last night.

Initial reports suggested the oligarch's demise was a result of heart failure but detectives from Surrey police's major crime unit are now

Mr Patarkatsishvili is the richest man in the former Soviet bloc country with an estimated £6 billion fortune and has previously worked closely with Chelsea owner Abramovich.

He had previously admitted that he feared for his life after an alleged plot to murder him in London was uncovered.

One reported assassination plan bore chilling similarities to the killing of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.

Mr Patarkatsishvili was a long-time business partner of Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky, an outspoken Kremlin critic who now lives in exile in London.

Mr Berezovsky reported that the Georgian billionaire was not ill but had complained about his heart when he saw him yesterday.

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said today: 'Police were called to an address in Leatherhead late yesterday evening following the collapse and death of Georgian businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili, believed to be 52 years of age.

'As with all unexplained deaths, it is being treated as suspicious. A post-mortem examination will be held later today to establish the cause of death.'

Mr Patarkatsishvili's home, Downside Manor, is located in a leafy road in the countryside outside Leatherhead and is reported to be worth £10 million. Actor Michael Caine lives nearby.

Police cordoned off the property and were not letting anyone get close to it today. Mr Patarkatsishvili amassed his wealth during the privatisation of state industries in Russia during the 1990s.

He helped to finance the so-called rose revolution that swept President Mikhail Saakashvili to power in Georgia in 2003, but subsequently fell out with him.

In December Mr Patarkatsishvili told the Sunday Times he did not feel safe returning to his home country. 'I have 120 bodyguards but I know that's not enough. I don't feel safe anywhere and that is why I'm particularly not going to Georgia,' he told the newspaper.

After Mr Berezovsky fell foul of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Patarkatsishvili said Mr Putin told him to side with the Kremlin or leave Moscow.

He returned to Tbilisi and bought a football and basketball club and a local circus before going into opposition.

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

oh dear

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

Russian mafia in Surrey sounds cool!! They could be my next door naighbours!

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

lmfao maybe they are mate...be careful oooooooo

[KENT_BLUE 1]

watchout russian mafias about

kent-blue

[Fulham Broadway 16,845]

He was a Georgian Jew who, like Abramovich and several others positioned themselves round the permanently pissed Yeltsin, and got him to sign to them Russias assets as Communism collapsed.

[misschief 24]

Did Grant hear he was in line to be the next Chelsea puppet/manager/whatever today's title is?