Whistleblower cash evidence ‘lost by police’

KEY evidence linking the death of a Russian whistleblower with half billion-dollar transactions, threats and a high-profile money-laundering case has been lost by police, an inquest heard.

A civilian police translator trawled through documents, text messages and Skype chat from Alexander Perepilichnyy’s computer the month after he died in November 2012 while jogging near his home in Weybridge, Surrey.

Russian-born Ekaterina Clarkeo’ connell concluded that something was “not right” as she recalled massive sums of money, of up to half a billion dollars (£310 million) flowing through accounts, the Old Bailey heard.

Lucas Fear-segal, for Legal & General, Mr Perepilichnyy’s life insurers told Ms Clarke-o’connell: “Essentially, the original documents you looked at have gone missing. It’s either the fault of Surrey Police or South East Counter Terrorism Unit and back-up cannot be accessed by Surrey Police so all we have is you.” The inquest continues.