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One of the most controversial figures in contemporary politics and finance, Boris Berezovsky has pursued three successful careers: in the academic world, in business and in politics.
In the Soviet Era he conducted research at the Moscow Institute of Control Sciences for over 25 years, specialising in applied mathematics, optimization theory. He has published over one hundred scientific papers and several books, has been a mentor to many students, a professor and a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
In 1989 Dr. Berezovsky left the academic life and to engage in a variety of business enterprise, becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs during the period of rapid transition to capitalism under President Yeltsin. His business interests are to be found in computer software, automobiles, oil, aluminium and the mass media. He owns or has a controlling interest in several national newspapers and television stations.
In the mid-1990’s Boris Berezovsky entered politics as a member of President Yeltsin’s inner circle of advisors. In this role he engaged the support of the Russian business world behind President Yeltsin in the 1996 presidential election, helping to secure a democratic victory over the communist candidate. He was appointed by President Yeltsin to the National Security Council and in 1997 negotiated the Peace Treaty that ended the First Chechen War. He later served as the Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
In 1999 he was elected as a member of the Duma (Russian parliament) but a year later, under the newly-elected President Putin, he achieved a first in Russian history by resigning his seat in a protest against moves towards a concentration of Presidential power and he then sought to set up a worthy opposition movement.
In August 2000 the government responded to the sharp criticisms from the media against President Putin’s mishandling of the Kursk submarine disaster by waging a concerted campaign that culminated in removing control of the main national television network (ORT) from Dr. Berezovsky. In November 2000 Dr. Berezovsky announced his departure from Russia into political exile in the West.
Boris Berezovsky chairs two charitable foundations, of which he is the principal benefactor. These are the “Triumph” Prize Fund for Russian Culture (founded in Moscow in 1992) and the Foundation for Civil Liberties (founded in New York in 2000). Also Boris Berezovsky is one of the founders of Litvinenko Justice Foundation (founded in London in 2007)
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