The oligarch was among those targeted by UK sanctions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Mr Guryev was described as “a known close associate of Vladimir Putin”. He is the founder and former chief executive of PhosAgro, which the Foreign Office described as “a vital strategic company that produces fertilisers”.
He is now being sued by Alexander Gorbachev, a Russian political exile based in London, for control of the near $10bn chemicals empire.
Mr Gorbachev claims that Mr Guryev, a judo master who reportedly owns a penthouse apartment in Vauxhall near MI6, unlawfully seized his 25pc stake in the Moscow-based business.
He has accused Mr Guryev, who remains the largest shareholder of PhosAgro, of breaking a previous deal reached during a series of meetings in 2005 at locations including a London pub and a sauna.
Mr Gorbachev will argue that his stake in the company would now be worth £1bn during a six-week trial at the High…
