Berezovsky vs. Abramovich case should be heard in Russia - Putin
MOSCOW. Dec 15 (Interfax) - Exiled oligarch Boris Berezovsky and businessman Roman Abramovich should have their court dispute in Russia instead of the UK, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a Q&A session on Thursday.
"It would be better if they did this in Russia," he said. "That would be much more fair for themselves and for this country."
"The money is made and stolen here; they should divide it in this country," Putin said.
The High Court in London is hearing a lawsuit filed by Berezovsky, who received refugee status in the UK in 2003. He accuses Abramovich of forcing him to sell 50% in Sibneft at an underrated price.
Berezovsky was paid $1.3 billion for the shares. Gazprom acquired Sibneft for $13.1 billion in 2005. Berezovsky estimated his losses at 3.2 billion pounds.
Abramovich denies that Berezovsky was forced to sell the stock. In his words, Berezovsky got the money for political support (more than $2.5 billion were paid in all) and he had no rights to Sibneft shares.