John A Silkstone
18-07-07, 10:37
An assassin's plot to kill exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky at a London hotel has reportedly been foiled by MI5 and MI6.
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A newspaper claims the Russian hitman had planned to shoot Mr Berezovsky in a room at the Hilton hotel, in Park Lane, London.
The would-be assassin planned to lure Mr Berezovsky to a meeting and had taken a child with him so he looked less suspicious.
The paper said the meeting had been due to take place during the past fortnight, but the security service and Scotland Yard anti-terrorism police seized the gunman before he could carry out his plan.
Mr Berezovsky, 61, is a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin and was a friend of murdered former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "We are not prepared to discuss it."
He would not comment on whether anyone had been arrested.
A Home Office spokeswoman said she could not confirm or deny matters relating to security.
According to another report, Mr Berezovsky fled Britain three weeks ago on the advice of Scotland Yard.
Mr Berezovsky said: "I was informed by Scotland Yard that my life was in danger and they recommended that I leave the country.
"I left three weeks ago but have now returned."
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A newspaper claims the Russian hitman had planned to shoot Mr Berezovsky in a room at the Hilton hotel, in Park Lane, London.
The would-be assassin planned to lure Mr Berezovsky to a meeting and had taken a child with him so he looked less suspicious.
The paper said the meeting had been due to take place during the past fortnight, but the security service and Scotland Yard anti-terrorism police seized the gunman before he could carry out his plan.
Mr Berezovsky, 61, is a fierce critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin and was a friend of murdered former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "We are not prepared to discuss it."
He would not comment on whether anyone had been arrested.
A Home Office spokeswoman said she could not confirm or deny matters relating to security.
According to another report, Mr Berezovsky fled Britain three weeks ago on the advice of Scotland Yard.
Mr Berezovsky said: "I was informed by Scotland Yard that my life was in danger and they recommended that I leave the country.
"I left three weeks ago but have now returned."