Russian Alexander Perepilichnyy death 'reprisal killing'

Surrey Police said Alexander Perepilichnyy's death was not suspicious

The death of a wealthy Russian businessman could have been a "reprisal killing" linked to the deaths of Alexander Litvinenko and lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, a pre-inquest review heard.

Alexander Perepilichnyy, 44, collapsed and died in the road while running in Weybridge, Surrey, on 10 November 2012.

Traces of a chemical found in a toxic plant were found in his stomach.

The review heard Mr Perepilichnyy had been working on uncovering a Russian money laundering operation.

Mr Perepilichnyy's death was originally attributed to natural causes until traces of a chemical that can be found in a poisonous plant were later found in his stomach.

'Reprisal killings'

The Surrey coroner Richard Travers was told Mr Perepilichnyy had been helping Hermitage Capital Management - for whom Sergei Magnitsky had also worked - on uncovering a £150m Russian money laundering operation.

Henrietta Hill, for Hermitage, said: "There is concern there is a pattern of reprisal killings. This deceased died in a manner that was inextricably linked to this work with Hermitage."

She said Mr Perepilichnyy had been the subject of lawsuits brought by a company owned by Dmitry Kovtun, a suspect in the assassination of Mr Litvinenko in London in 2006.

French police are also investigating Mr Perepilichnyy's death after it was found he visited Paris shortly before he died, the hearing was told.

Lawyers for Legal and General, with whom he took out a life insurance policy that came into force days before he died, are also questioning the manner of his death.

His family's lawyer, Alexandra Tampakopoulos, told the hearing in Woking there was no direct evidence he had been murdered or had received threats.

She said: "There is no evidence of connection to Sergei Magnitsky's death."

The full inquest is due to take place in September and is due to last five days.