Russian banker’s UK asylum claim

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 yesterday 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 an international arrest warrant for Mr Borodin. Russian authorities said yesterday they would continue to seek his extradition.