Roman Abramovich Wins £3bn High Court Battle

Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has won his multi-billion pound court battle with his former friend and business partner, Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
Mr Berezovsky, 66, was seeking more than £3bn damages after accusing the 45-year-old Russian billionaire businessman of blackmail, breach of trust and breach of contract.

The legal fight centred on deals done in Russia following the break-up of the Soviet Union two decades ago.
Mr Berezovsky claimed Mr Abramovich had "intimidated" him into selling shares in Russian oil company Sibneft at a fraction of their value.



He also accused the fellow tycoon of betrayal, alleging he had broken a promise made during a deal relating to Russian aluminium company RusAl.
Mr Abramovich said the claims were "wholly without merit" and denied the allegations. He also denied that Mr Berezovsky was entitled to damages.

Mrs Justice Gloster, sitting at the High Court in central London, ruled in Mr Abramovich's favour after a three-month trial.
Both men "rose to enormous wealth and influence" in Russia in the 1990s as state-owned firms were privatised in the wake of the collapse of communism, the court heard.

Mr Berezovsky said the pair became friends when working together to acquire Sibneft.
Mr Abramovich said Mr Berezovsky was paid millions of pounds for his services as a "political godfather", but made no managerial contribution.