Former owner of the magnesium plant in Solikamsk Igor Pastrykov requested political asylum in France. His application is still pending. The businessman also tried to recover through the High Court of England and Wales about $1 billion for SMZ and Lovozersky GOK shares seized in Russia. He filed a lawsuit against the former chairman of the board of SMZ, Alexander Gutin, accusing him of conspiring to deprive Pastrykov of control of the assets. Gutin denies the allegations. A British court dismissed the proceedings due to improper delivery of documents to the defendant, who moved to Cyprus. The main "center of gravity" of the conflict, according to the court, is in Russia. In April 2025, Pastrykov was sentenced in absentia in Russia to eight years in prison for organizing theft and attempted embezzlement. He is on the international wanted list. Read exclusive material in full with a maximum subscription | Telegram | Newsletter | iOS app | android.