Boris Berezovsky inquest due to open

27 March 2013 Last updated at 22:39 ET

Boris Berezovsky had lived in Britain since 2000

An inquest into the death of exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky is due to open later.

Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found dead on Saturday on a bathroom floor at his home in Ascot, Berkshire.

A post-mortem examination found his death was consistent with hanging, but further tests are being carried out and are likely to take several weeks.

The inquest comes after the family of his second wife paid tribute to him, describing him as "extraordinary".

His daughter Anastasia, 19, said: "My father was not the typical parent, nothing about him was ordinary... he has taught me many things about this world.

"He has taught me to never stop fighting for what one believes in no matter what the costs may be."

Anastasia and her brother Artem are Mr Berezovsky's children with his second wife Galina Besharova.

She added: "There aren't enough words in any language that can somehow express everything that he was and everything he will continue to be. The only word that comes close is extraordinary."

'No struggle'

Mr Berezovsky's body was reportedly found by an employee, who called an ambulance at 15:18 GMT on Saturday. He had not been seen since around 22:30 GMT the previous evening.

Police have said the post-mortem examination found nothing to indicate a violent struggle, but investigations at the property would continue for several days.

They had earlier said there was no evidence so far that a "third party" was involved.

It will be several weeks before the results of further tests, including toxicology and histology examinations, are known.

BBC world affairs correspondent Richard Galpin says some friends of Mr Berezovsky had said he was depressed after the failure of his legal battle in London with fellow Russian oligarch and Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.

But others have insisted he was not a man who would have taken his own life, our correspondent adds.

Police have said they are speaking to the Russian's close friends and family to build up a picture of his state of mind in the last days of his life.

Assassination attempts

The inquest is expected to be adjourned to allow time for a full investigation before witnesses are called to give evidence and a conclusion is reached.

Mr Berezovsky, an outspoken critic of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, amassed a fortune in the 1990s following the privatisation of state assets after the collapse of Soviet communism.

He survived numerous assassination attempts, including a bomb that decapitated his chauffeur.

Mr Berezovsky had been living in the UK since 2000.

He was granted political asylum in 2003 on the grounds that his life would be in danger in Russia.

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Boris Berezovsky 'died by hanging'

25 March 2013 Last updated at 18:50 ET

A post-mortem examination has found Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky's death was "consistent with hanging", police have said.

Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found dead by an employee on Saturday on a bathroom floor at his home in Berkshire.

Thames Valley Police earlier said there was no evidence so far that a "third party" was involved.

Mr Berezovsky emigrated to the UK in 2000 and was granted asylum in 2003.

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Berezovsky death remains unexplained

23 March 2013 Last updated at 21:25 ET

A cordon remains in place around Boris Berezosky's house

Police with expertise in environments contaminated with chemical, biological and nuclear material are searching the house of the late exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky.

Mr Berezovsky, 67, was found dead on Saturday, and a Thames Valley police cordon remains in place as police investigate his unexplained death.

The body remains at the Berkshire house while the search - described as a precaution - takes place, police said.

They say the public is not at risk.

The ambulance service was called to the Ascot house of Mr Berezovsky at 15:18 GMT on Saturday.

Wanted man

A Thames Valley police update said: "Specially trained officers are currently at the scene, including CBRN trained officers, who are conducting a number of searches as a precaution.

"This is to enable officers to carry out an investigation into the man's death."

Boris Berezovsky led a colourful and controversial life

Supt Stuart Greenfield said: "We are aware the cordon is causing disruption to local residents and we apologise for any inconvenience, but it is important we take all necessary measures to ensure a full and thorough investigation can be carried out.

"I would like to reassure residents that we are confident there is no risk to the wider community."

He said the property was part of a large estate, so a number of roads were closed "and will remain so for the time being".

Mr Berezovsky was a wanted man in Russia, and an opponent of President Vladimir Putin.

A former Kremlin power-broker whose fortunes declined under Mr Putin, Mr Berezovsky emigrated to the UK in 2000.

Last year, Mr Berezovsky lost a £3bn ($4.7bn) damages claim against Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.

BBC world affairs reporter Richard Galpin said sources have told him that Mr Berezovsky was depressed after the loss of the court case and was under financial pressure.

The tycoon's wealth is thought to have considerably diminished in recent years, leaving him struggling to pay debts in the wake of costly court cases.

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