Russian billionaire accused of paid murder seeks asylum in Montenegro

A Russian billionaire of Azerbaijani origin has been arrested in Montenegro after Russia wanted him on suspicion of ordering paid assassination.

Local media in Montenegro reported on October 2nd that Telman Ismailov had applied for asylum in the country, a day after he was arrested in Podgorica after receiving an international arrest warrant issued by Russia.

Vijesti reports that the request for political asylum could complicate Ismailov's extradition to Russia.

His son, Alekper Ismailov, owns a casino in the coastal city of Budva.

In Russia, the Russian billionaire is accused of paying in 2016 for the murder of two businessmen in the Moscow region. He is also accused of kidnapping a singer in 2004.

Ismailov was once one of the most influential businessmen in Russia. In 2009, Russian authorities closed an outdoor market to him for "sanitary and security violations" and for carrying out illegal activities.

At the time, Russia's Investigative Committee said the market functioned as a "state within a state." Critics say the closure of the Cherkizovsky market may have been part of a real estate battle in Moscow.

This businessman has been targeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin because of his luxurious lifestyle.

The market closure came weeks after Putin scolded Ismailov for hosting a luxury inaugural party at his five-star Mardan Place hotel in Turkey at a time when Russians were suffering after the 1998 financial crisis.

Witnesses to the organization said the $ 100 bills were issued from the ceiling above guests, including Hollywood stars and members of Russia's elite. One of the guests of that holiday was the then Prime Minister of Montenegro, and now the President, Milo Djukanovic, reports Vijesti.

Putin had said that the billions of dollars earned in Russia should be invested in the country, and not in projects abroad.

Ismailov eventually fled Russia and his property there was confiscated