Millionaire Russian exile granted asylum in Britain faces a divorce battle in London after his estranged wife argued she would only get a 'tiny percentage' of his '£115million wealth' in Moscow Boris Shemyakin left Russia as he was suspected of defrauding Bank of Moscow He said his ex, Elena Vasilyeva, reached divorce agreement with him in Russia But a High Court judge has now ruled that she can pursue a case in England She said Russian courts would only give her a 'tiny percentage' of his wealth By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline Published: 16:08 BST, 16 April 2019 | Updated: 16:15 BST, 16 April 2019 Viewcomments A millionaire Russian exile granted asylum in Britain because of persecution fears has lost a divorce court battle with his estranged wife. Elena Vasilyeva has been given the go-ahead to make a cash claim in England following the breakdown of her marriage to businessman Boris Shemyakin because she'd only get a 'tiny percentage' of his wealth if it was heard in Russia. Mr Shemyakin, who left Russia nearly eight years ago after being arrested on suspicion of defrauding the Bank of Moscow, had objected and said they had reached a 'final agreement' in his home country. But a High Court judge has ruled against him. Mr Justice Williams decided today that Ms Vasilyeva could make a claim for 'financial relief' under English law. A High Court judge ruled against Mr Shemyakin, who now faces a divorce battle in the capital (pictured: High Court in London) He outlined his decision in a written ruling after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London in March. The judge has made no decision on the size of any payout. He said Mr Shemyakin and Ms Vasilyeva are Russian, and married in Moscow in 2002. Mr Shemyakin arrived in the UK in September 2011 after being arrested on suspicion of fraud in Russia. He has remained in England since then and lived in Notting Hill, west London. Mr Justice Williams said Mr Shemyakin was granted asylum in 2013 and subsequently given indefinite leave to remain. The judge said Home Office ministers 'self-evidently' believed Mr Shemyakin had a 'well-founded fear of persecution'. Ms Vasilyeva had subsequently joined her husband in London, but moved to Tenerife after their marriage broke down in 2016. They disagree over how much money is at stake. Ms Vasilyeva said Mr Shemyakin had 'at one point' admitted he was worth around £115 million. She said he was 'always very secretive' about his financial affairs. Mr Shemyakin said she had 'grossly exaggerated' his wealth, telling the judge he was worth £3 million to £4 million. Ms Vasilyeva said the case had a 'current connection' to England, as Mr Shemyakin had lived in London for the best part of eight years and was likely to remain. She said he would not return to Russia and there were 'limited assets' there. The judge heard there had been litigation in Moscow, but Ms Vasilyeva said that under a Russian court order she would get a flat in Moscow worth about £1 million, shareholdings worth £430,000 and a parking space worth £38,000. She said those amounts were a 'tiny percentage' of Mr Shemyakin's wealth. Mr Shemyakin said Ms Vasilyeva's application was a 'try on'. He said the case was 'Russian', they had reached a 'final agreement' in Russia, and the reasons behind the application were 'without foundation'. Mr Shemyakin said there was 'no substantial ground' on which Ms Vasilyeva should be given the go-ahead. But Mr Justice Williams said Ms Vasilyeva's application was not 'wholly unmeritorious' and it would be 'unjust' to 'close the door' on her. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility