It’s Russian revolution with a difference. It's 2004 and the billionaire Oligarch, Boris Berezovsky, is attempting to overturn President Putin of Russia from the quiet of the south of England. The exile, whose personal fortune is estimated at £800 million, fled Russia in 2000 and now leads a comfortable life in political asylum at his palatial home outside London. The Fugitive follows Berezovsky’s political wheeling and dealing as he attempts to turn the UK to his world view, destabilises Latvia with one visit, funds the Orange revolution in Ukraine, forms alliances with key US figures and foments dissent inside Russia.
The battle between President Putin and Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The trial of Russia’s once richest man, oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and the dismemberment of Yukos, the multi billion dollar gas and oil company he'd created. The episode follows the trial from the inside and talks to all the major players. Contributors include the lawyers, the parents, the bit players caught up in it all – and, of course, Khodorkovsky’s business partner, Nevzlin, who reveals his outspoken views about the corruption of the regime from exile in Israel.
With fellow oligarchs Khodorkovsky banished to a Siberian prison and Berozovsky in exile, Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow, and his wife are the last elected opposition to Putin. They also happen to be the richest couple in the country, and that is their Achilles heel. This episode focuses on the billionaire mayor and his wife who preside over one of the most corrupt, violent and spectacular cities on Earth.