UK asylum for Russian banker

A Russian banker accused of fraud says he has been granted political asylum in Britain.

Former Bank of Moscow head Andrei Borodin told Russian media today he argued that he risked politically motivated persecution from Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev if he returned to Russia.

There was no immediate word from Britain, where the Home Office does not comment on individual asylum cases.

Mr Borodin fled to London last year to avoid charges stemming from the Bank of Moscow’s £9 billion bailout after state-run VTB’s takeover.

British authorities denied him and his deputy political asylum in May but he filed an appeal.

In August, Interpol issued a Red Notice, the equivalent of an international arrest warrant, for Mr Borodin at Russia’s request.

Russian authorities said today they would continue to seek his extradition.