A Russian exile found dead in the UK was being pursued through the London courts over the alleged theft of $123 million from the former state airline Aeroflot.
Nikolai Glushkov – whose death at his south London home was revealed on Tuesday – was also the "closest friend" of Vladimir Putin’s arch-enemy Boris Berezovsky, who was found dead in 2013 at his mansion west of London.
Mr Glushkov, 68, was found dead on Monday and had been suffering from ill-health. He had reportedly run out of money as he fought a long-running civil claim against Aeroflot through the courts.
He had been due in court on the day his body was discovered to continue defending the claim against him and the estate of Mr Berezovsky, but failed to make an appearance, according to The Guardian.
Counter-terrorist police are investigating his death in light of his friendship with Mr Berezovsky. Officers said there was no evidence to link it with events in Salisbury and the assassination attempt on former double agent Sergei Skripal.
“The death is currently being treated as an unexplained,” said police in a statement which did not name Mr Glushkov. It said counter-terrorist officers were “leading the investigation as a precaution because of associations that the man is believed to have had”.
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Mr Glushkov was a former director of the Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot when it was privatised, according to his asylum claim. He was later accused of stealing from the company along with Mr Berezovksy. He spent four years in prison from 2000 because of "abuse of power" and attempting to escape.
Following his release, Mr Glushkov fled to the UK in 2006, but the legal campaign against him continued in Russia. He was sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison last year.
Mr Berezovsky claimed that his friend's detention was used a bargaining chip when Putin allies were trying to force him to sign over his Russian business assetsafter falling out with the Kremlin.
Mr Glushkov backed up Mr Berezovsky during a high-profile legal battle in 2012 with rival UK-based oligarch Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, who he claimed had cheated him out of $5 billion.
The London case ended in humiliation for Mr Berezovsky, who was described by a judge as dishonest, deluded and an unreliable witness. The reliability of Mr Glushkov’s evidence was also called into question.
Police believe Mr Berezovsky killed himself the following year after losing his wealth and influence. The court case came more than a decade after he was forced into exile in the UK after falling out with his former protege, Mr Putin. He was found with a scarf around his neck in the bathroom of his mansion.
Mr Glushkov, who first met Mr Berezovsky in 1989, always believed that his friend had been killed. The death of Mr Berezovsky is now one of 14 suspicious deaths being re-assessed in light of the attempted assassination in Salisbury, the British government said.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The five pillars of Islam
How to help or find other cats to adopt
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
