Russia: Friends of exiled Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky said last night they believe he was strangled to death.
It came as a postmortem revealed the 67-year-old businessman's injuries suggested he was hanged.
Police said the Home Office pathologist found nothing to indicate he died in a violent struggle.
The businessman's ex-wife, Galina, has told friends that a scarf was found next to his body.
And Mr Berezovsky's friend, Nikolai Glushkov, said: "Boris was strangled. Either he did it himself or with the help of someone.
"I don't believe it was suicide. This was just not a normal death." Mr Berezovsky was found dead in a locked bathroom at his £20million mansion in Ascot, Berks, on Saturday. There was no suicide note.
Thames Valley police said a cordon will remain at the country estate until at least tomorrow while their probe continues.
A police spokesman said last night: "The results of the post-mortem found the cause of death is consistent with hanging.
"Further tests will be carried out, including toxicology examinations, the results of which are likely to take several weeks."
Det Ch Insp Kevin Brown, deputy senior investigating officer, said: "We have no evidence of any third-party involvement."
But pals of dad-of-six Mr Berezovsky said he was a prime target for assassination because of his criticism of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and his role as a key witness at the inquest next month of murdered spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Mr Berezovsky was said to be depressed after a string of financial woes.
Last year he lost a court battle with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, and Mr Berezovsky's ex, Elena Gorbunova, won a £200million freezing order on his assets. |
