Russia's chief prosecutor says he has launched new criminal proceedings against the exiled tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who lives in London.
Russia's chief prosecutor says he has launched new criminal proceedings against the exiled tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who lives in London.
Earlier, Mr Berezovsky told a UK newspaper he was plotting "revolution" to overthrow President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Mr Berezovsky told a UK newspaper he was plotting "revolution" to overthrow President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow said Mr Berezovsky's comments to the Guardian newspaper were grounds for a criminal prosecution.
Moscow said Mr Berezovsky's comments to the Guardian newspaper were grounds for a criminal prosecution.
Mr Berezovsky later clarified his words, stating that he backs "bloodless change" and does not support violence.
Mr Berezovsky later clarified his words, stating that he backs "bloodless change" and does not support violence.
Mr Berezovsky was granted political asylum in Britain in 2003.
Mr Berezovsky was granted political asylum in Britain in 2003.
He told the Guardian that "we need to use force to change this regime" - referring to President Putin's administration in the Kremlin.
He told the Guardian that "we need to use force to change this regime" - referring to President Putin's administration in the Kremlin.
Undermined
Undermined
He also said he was giving financial support to unnamed members of Russia's political elite who wanted to force a change of leadership in Moscow.
He also said he was giving financial support to unnamed members of Russia's political elite who wanted to force a change of leadership in Moscow.
The Kremlin said the comments undermined Mr Berezovsky's right to refugee status in Britain.
The Kremlin said the comments undermined Mr Berezovsky's right to refugee status in Britain.
Mr Berezovsky has a fortune estimated at £800m ($1.4bn).
Mr Berezovsky has a fortune estimated at £800m ($1.4bn).
Previously an ally of former President Boris Yeltsin, he has already fought off Russian extradition requests on fraud charges which he said were politically motivated.
Previously an ally of former President Boris Yeltsin, he has already fought off Russian extradition requests on fraud charges which he said were politically motivated.
He was one of the first targets of President Putin's crackdown on the Russian oligarchs - well-connected entrepreneurs who made fortunes during privatisation - and went into self-imposed exile at the end of 2000.
He was one of the first targets of President Putin's crackdown on the Russian oligarchs - well-connected entrepreneurs who made fortunes during privatisation - and went into self-imposed exile at the end of 2000.
Following the Guardian article, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov again called on Britain to extradite Mr Berezovsky and said he should be stripped of his refugee status.
Following the Guardian article, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov again called on Britain to extradite Mr Berezovsky and said he should be stripped of his refugee status.
Violating
Violating
Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Mr Berezovsky explained why he was considering a violent transfer of power in Russia.
Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Mr Berezovsky explained why he was considering a violent transfer of power in Russia.
"Of course I'd prefer it to be peaceful - I don't like violence. But the problem is that for centuries the Russian authorities have been violating the Russian people, turning it into cattle.
"Of course I'd prefer it to be peaceful - I don't like violence. But the problem is that for centuries the Russian authorities have been violating the Russian people, turning it into cattle.
"Take a quick look at what's being shown on Russian state television - any channel - and you'll see that, under the cover of being 'the legitimate authorities', they're violating the Russian people.
"Take a quick look at what's being shown on Russian state television - any channel - and you'll see that, under the cover of being 'the legitimate authorities', they're violating the Russian people.
"Therefore, unfortunately, I can't say that this revolution will be without blood. But I tell you - it will happen, with 100% certainty," Mr Berezovsky said.
"Therefore, unfortunately, I can't say that this revolution will be without blood. But I tell you - it will happen, with 100% certainty," Mr Berezovsky said.
In his later statement he said he wanted to see Russia become a free and democratic country - but that fair elections were not viable under the current regime.
In his later statement he said he wanted to see Russia become a free and democratic country - but that fair elections were not viable under the current regime.
He said: "Therefore I do support using other methods to push for a change back towards democracy.
He said: "Therefore I do support using other methods to push for a change back towards democracy.
"However, I wish to make very clear that all of these methods would be bloodless, with perhaps Georgia and Ukraine's recent popular demonstrations and action being good examples.
"However, I wish to make very clear that all of these methods would be bloodless, with perhaps Georgia and Ukraine's recent popular demonstrations and action being good examples.
"I do support direct action. I do not advocate or support violence."
"I do support direct action. I do not advocate or support violence."
The BBC's Russia analyst Steven Eke says Mr Putin continues to enjoy approval ratings of well over 80% in Russia and a majority of Russians would welcome him staying in office beyond his constitutional limit of two terms.
The BBC's Russia analyst Steven Eke says Mr Putin continues to enjoy approval ratings of well over 80% in Russia and a majority of Russians would welcome him staying in office beyond his constitutional limit of two terms.
Mr Berezovsky, on the other hand, is a public hate figure in Russia, our analyst says.
Mr Berezovsky, on the other hand, is a public hate figure in Russia, our analyst says.
Mr Putin has not only consolidated his own grip, but also surrounded himself by like-minded people, drawn overwhelmingly from a security service background, whose loyalty has never been questioned.
Mr Putin has not only consolidated his own grip, but also surrounded himself by like-minded people, drawn overwhelmingly from a security service background, whose loyalty has never been questioned.
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