Russian Businessman Nikolai Glushkov Dies in London – Police Launch Murder Probe
Police have opened a murder investigation following the sudden death of Russian entrepreneur Nikolai Glushkov in south-west London. The 68-year-old was found dead at his New Malden home on March 12.
Cause of Death: Neck Compression
Authorities revealed Mr Glushkov died from “compression to the neck.” Although the investigation is in its early stages, police say there is currently no evidence linking his death to the high-profile Salisbury poisoning case.
Shadowy Past and Political Asylum
Glushkov was the former deputy director of Russian state airline Aeroflot. His criminal past in Russia included a five-year jail term from 1999 for money laundering and fraud charges. After receiving a suspended sentence for further fraud accusations in 2006, he fled to the UK seeking political asylum and became a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin.
Close Ties to Boris Berezovsky
Glushkov was known to have a close friendship with Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky, another Putin adversary who left Russia in 1999. Berezovsky was found hanged in his Berkshire home in 2013, with the inquest delivering an open verdict.
Detectives urge anyone with information to come forward as they keep an open mind in this unfolding investigation.