Post by Focus on Apr 1, 2013 17:43:47 GMT
Katerina Sabirova says the Rusisian oligarch "sounded better than usual" when she spoke to him the day before his death.
The 23-year-old girlfriend of the late Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky has said she does not believe he killed himself.
Mr Berezovsky was 'in good spirits' before his death
Katerina Sabirova told the Russian magazine New Times that the exiled tycoon, who was found dead at his Berkshire mansion last month, had been planning to go on holiday with her to Israel.
An inquest has heard Mr Berezovsky - an outspoken critic of president Vladimir Putin - was found on his bathroom floor with a "ligature around his neck" and that a similar piece of material was on the shower rail above him.
The 67-year-old's death was consistent with hanging and there was nothing to indicate a struggle, police said.
However, Ms Sabirova said that although he had been down recently, she did not believe he wanted to take his own life.
Mr Berezovsky made his fortune in Russia in the 1990s when he bought up state assets that were sold off cheaply, and had lived in the UK since 2000 after falling out with Mr Putin.
At one stage his wealth was valued at $3bn (£2bn), but he is thought to have suffered in the financial crisis and in 2009 his wealth was estimated at £450m.
Last year he lost a lawsuit against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich which is thought to have cost him £100m.
Boris Berezovsky's mansion in Ascot
Ms Sabirova said the last time they spoke, a day before his death, his voice had "sounded better than usual".
"He was definitely planning to come to Israel on Monday (March 25)," she told the New Times.
She said Mr Berezovsky used to say, "Imagine if I'm not around, all the problems will go away", but that it was still "hard to believe" he would kill himself.
The magazine printed a photograph of the couple together, his arm around her shoulder. Friends of Mr Berezovsky confirmed that they were in a long-term relationship, it said.
Ms Sabirova also confirmed that Mr Berezovsky had discussed with her his letter to Mr Putin asking for forgiveness.
"He said that he did not see another way (to return to Russia) than to bow down," she said.
Ms Sabirova said she last met Mr Berezovsky in November after his court defeat, when she brought him Chinese herbal medicine cures from Moscow to help him sleep.
The inquest at Windsor Coroner's Court has been adjourned.
The plot thickens!! - Fx
