An exiled Russian businessman’s future is still uncertain despite escaping a legal bid by the Kremlin to have him sent back to his country.
Alexander Shapovalov, who now lives near Ballachlulish in Lochaber with his partner, successfully resisted extradition to Russia to serve a 10-year prison sentence for embezzlement.
Shapovalov is the former Director General of the Scientific Centre of Applied Chemistry in St Petersburg (GIPH) – a state-controlled defence company that supplies the Russian military.
He was accused of defrauding the firm.
In a civil case judgement in Edinburgh last week, the 57 year old was told by Sheriff Nigel Ross that he could remain in this country after fleeing St Petersburg in April, 2015.
He claimed President Vladimir Putin would have him killed if he returned.
However his financial activities since seeking asylum in Scotland are being investigated by the Crown Office.
It had a Proceeds of Crime application at Inverness Sheriff Court put in abeyance or “sisted” until the outcome in Edinburgh.
The application was on the court roll at Inverness yesterday and Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood ruled that it call again in three months time on September 12 for representations by both sides.