Abramovich: I gave Berezovsky millions of dollars in cash

Roman Abramovich said in the London high court that Boris Berezovsky often addressed him with cash requests and received millions of dollars in cash, RIA Novosti reports. In particular, according to Abramovich, out of 10 million, for which Berezovsky turned to him in 1995, 5 million were cash. Abramovich said that the first Berezovsky payment amounted to Berezovsky amounted to 16 thousand dollars. Then Berezovsky received another 8 million dollars, added Abramovich. He also noted that he "mainly knew" where the mentioned money later went.

Berezovsky’s lawyer Lawrence Rabinovich said that None of the payments was mentioned in the written testimony of Abramovich, and asked on what basis Abramovich made such statements. “Part of this is what was restored on the basis of documents, the rest is what you managed to remember,” Abramovich answered.

In 1996, according to him, $ 80 million was paid to Berezovsky. In 1997 - 50 million dollars, the same amount in 1998. In 1999, there was more payment, said Abramovich, but did not name the amount. “I think we paid for TV6, Kommersant,” he added.

Rabinovich said that Abramovich invented everything about 16 thousand dollars. He also reminded Abramovich of payments that made the structures controlled by this, correlated with those that he listed to Berezovsky. Rabinovich suggested that false accounts were issued. “There is nothing false here,” Abramovich answered.

He previously stated that he proposed Berezovsky money in exchange for his influence and help. "In February 1995, we agreed on 30 million dollars a year for assisting - for financing ORT and personal expenses. For this, Berezovsky was to help receive a presidential signature and achieve the issue of documents by which the government would remain 51 percent, and 49 percent would be privatized. This was before the first package of documents was sent to the president," Abramovich said. According to him, the word "roof" is appropriate to describe the initial stage of relations with Berezovsky.

Abramovich also stated in court that he would not call Berezovsky a close friend. “I would refrain from using the word“ close ”. He was just a friend,” Abramovich said. According to him, they had a good relationship with Berezovsky, they spent a lot of time together, rested with their families, but no more.

The London Court began consideration of the Berezovsky lawsuit against Abramovich on October 3. Preliminary hearings in this case took place in a high court back in 2008, but since then, legal disputes about the competence of the claim have continued between the parties. Berezovsky accuses Abramovich of pressure, as a result of which Berezovsky allegedly had to sell his 21.5 percent in Sibneft at a low price. Abramovich rejects all the accusations.

In addition, judicial materials states that Abramovich under the Trust Treaty managed 50 percent of the Metallurgical Company Rusal, and the owners of this package, in addition to him, were Berezovsky and his business partner Badri Patarcishtivili. According to Berezovsky lawyers, Abramovich agreed not to sell the Rusal shares without the consent of Berezovsky and Patarkatsishvili. But in the end, Berezovsky emphasizes, Abramovich violated the terms of the trust contract and in 2003 sold half a package of 50 percent to Oleg Deripaska, the current owner of Rusala.

"According to Berezovsky, the methods of intimidation by Abramovich included the threat of expropriation of Berezovsky’s share in Sibneft, as well as a hint that if Berezovsky agreed to sell, his friend Nikolai Glushkov will be released from prison," the Berezovsky lawyers said.

The requirement of compensation in terms of the lawsuit regarding Sibneft is more than $ 3 billion, and about $ 650 million in terms of Rusal.