Alexander Perepilichny

Alexander Yurevich Perepilichny (Russian: Александр Юрьевич Перепиличный; 15 July 1968 – 10 November 2012)[1] was a Russian businessman and whistleblower who died under mysterious circumstances near London in 2012, after fleeing from Russia in 2009.[2] He was alleged to have been killed as part of the conspiracy to cover up the theft of $230 million from the Russian Treasury.[3] However, the cause of death remains unknown.[4]

Whistleblowing

Perepilichny, an investment banker, fled Moscow in 2009 after a disagreement with business partners saw him fearing for his life. He moved to the exclusive Saint George's Hill estate in Weybridge, where he lived in a £12,500-a-month luxury home.

In 2010, Perepilichny handed over documents to Swiss prosecutors detailing the involvement of senior Russian officials in the fraud of $220 million from the Russian Treasury through Hermitage Capital Management. The case has developed worldwide media coverage through the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky.[5]

Death

On 10 November 2012, Perepilichny travelled back to the UK from a three-day trip to Paris. After arriving home, he went out to jog, and was found dead on the road by a neighbour. A video of his corpse was widely circulated online in the aftermath of his death.[6]

Perepilichny had no reported health issues when he collapsed. Two autopsies proved inconclusive, as did advanced toxicology tests. A plant expert at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, Monique Simmonds,[2] found traces of a deadly poisonous plant, Gelsemium elegans, "used in Russian and Chinese assassinations," in his stomach.[3][7]

Allegations of conspiracy

Weeks after his death, the British press first reported that in 2011 Perepilichny's name had been placed on a list of targets wanted dead by conspirators in the Treasury theft.[8]

Geoffrey Robertson, a lawyer for the company which had led the fraud investigation, said in court that Perepilichny may have been talking to the British security services shortly before his death. He described 45 sensitive documents that had been kept secret under public interest immunity as a "cover-up". Surrey Police "firmly rebutted and refuted" these allegations.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Морозов, Валерий (16 January 2013). "Русская матрешка в Лондоне или Кто вы, доктор Перепеличный?". Эхо Москвы (in Russian). Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  2. 1 2 Harding, Luke; Walker, Shaun (19 May 2015). "'Poisoned' Russian whistleblower was fatalistic over death threats". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  3. 1 2 Harding, Luke; Townsend, Mark (3 May 2016). "Russian embezzlers went on $30m spending spree in UK, MPs told". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Galpin, Richard (16 March 2013). "What killed Alexander Perepilichny?". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  5. ↑ MacIntyre, Darragh (27 April 2013). "Is Russian crime arriving on UK shores?". BBC News. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. ↑ Townsend, Mark (17 March 2013). "Are Russian killers on the streets of Britain?". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Alexander Perepilichny: Rare Chinese poison found in stomach of Russian whistleblower". ABC Online. Agence France-Presse. May 19, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Jerome (29 November 2012). "Russian whistleblower Alexander Perepilichnyy was warned his name was on gang hit list". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  9. ↑ "Alexander Perepilichnyy death: Russian may have talked to UK spies". London: BBC News. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
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