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Deripaska backs Abramovich in confrontation with Berezovsky

Berezovsky accuses Abramovich of violating allegedly concluded trustworthy agreements between them

LONDON, November 20 (Itar-Tass) — Owner of the Bazovy Element (Bazel) Company and head of the RUSAL Company Oleg Deripaska backed Russian owner of the British Chelsea Soccer Club Roman Abramovich in his confrontation with former Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky who was granted a political asylum in Britain.

Berezovsky accuses Abramovich of violating allegedly concluded trustworthy agreements between them. According to plaintiff’s application, the respondent forced him to sell stocks of the Sibneft Company at a lower than market price. Berezovsky also blames Abramovich that the latter sold Deripaska a stake of shares of the RUSAL Company. In Berezovsky’s opinion, this resulted in dwindling the value of shares of the company, allegedly owned by Berezovsky.

The former Russian oligarch demands over five billion US dollars from Abramovich as a compensation. However, the latter denies accusations, put forth against him.

Berezovsky’s lawyer put questions to Deripaska on Friday about a meeting that had taken place on March 13, 2000 at London’s Dorchester Hotel. It was attended by Abramovich, Deripaska, Berezovsky, Badri Patarkatsishvili and Yevgeny Shvidler, manager of companies owned by Abramovich.

It was held on the eve of a deal on merging aluminium assets, owned by Deripaska and Abramovich. Deripaska said that Berezovsky did not own aluminium assets. “Abramovich assured me that he controls these assets completely,” said the Bazel owner.

He added that “Berezovsky took a very big sum of money from me at the meeting in Dorchester in 2000 and only partially fulfilled his obligations,” Deripaska told the court. He noted that the debt was returned to him with assistance from Abramovich.