Russia court issues new warrant for Berezovsky

MOSCOW, Aug 7 (Reuters) A Russian court today issued a new arrest warrant for Boris Berezovsky, the London-based multi-millionaire at the centre of a diplomatic row between Britain and Russia.

Moscow's Basmanny court issued the warrant in connection with Berezovsky's trial, being carried out in absentia in Moscow, on charges of embezzling money from a Russian bank in the 1990s. He denies all charges.

''The court has grounds to suppose that Berezovsky, still free, will continue to engage in criminal activity and with considerable financial resources could put pressure on the witnesses and attempt to destroy evidence,'' said Judge Yelena Yarlykova.

Berezovsky's lawyer Simon Ariya said it was the sixth arrest warrant for the multi-millionaire. ''In the near future we are expecting a raft of new charges,'' he said.

Moscow has for years been trying to have Berezovsky extradited to Russia to stand trial on separate charges. British courts have refused the request.

Russian officials have expressed anger at the British government, accusing it of providing Berezovsky with a safe haven from which to attack the Kremlin. He said earlier this year he was working for the overthrow of Russia's government.

Berezovsky has also spearheaded accusations that the Kremlin was behind the murder last year, by radiation poisoning, of former Russian state security agent Alexander Litvinenko. The Kremlin says the allegation is nonsense.

REUTERS PY RAI1956