Russia seeks to seize Berezovsky's Serbian assets

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian authorities say Moscow has demanded the seizure of assets in Serbia allegedly belonging to the late Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky.

Acting on the Russian demand, a Serbian court in July froze the assets of several Serbian-based enterprises allegedly partly owned by Berezovsky, which were valued at about $270 million.

But an appeals court said Thursday it has annulled the decision by the High Court. It has returned the case for a re-trial on the grounds that it has not provided evidence about ownership ties between Berezovsky and the companies in Serbia.

Berezovsky, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was granted asylum in Britain in 2000. He was found dead in the bathroom of his London home last March.