Heart Disease Killed Exiled Georgian Tycoon

Exiled Georgian billionaire Badri Patarkatsishvili, who collapsed and died at his home in the UK earlier this week, was suffering from severe heart disease, an inquest has been told.

The 52-year-old, who had an estimated fortune of £6 billion, collapsed at his country mansion in Leatherhead in Surrey on Tuesday night and his family reported that he had suffered a heart attack. However, he had recently spoken of fears that there was a plot to have him killed.

On Wednesday, police confirmed that his death had referred to a crimes investigation unit, but stressed that this was standard procedure following any sudden death.

The inquest at Woking, head that a post-mortem carried out on Mr Patarkatsishvili by pathologist Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl found that he was suffering from coronary heart disease. Dr Fegan-Earl told the inquest that the condition "was of a severity that could have resulted in a sudden and unexplained collapse and death at any time".

No evidence of any radioactive or nuclear presence was found in Mr Patarkatsishvili's body, the inquest was also told.

Coroner Michael Burgess adjourned the hearing to a later date, in order for toxicology tests to be completed.

Mr Patarkatsishvili, was charged with plotting a coup in Georgia last year – a charge which he denied. Since then, he had lived in self-imposed exile in Britain and Israel.

(KMcA)