Ablyazov appealed London High Court's ruling

Former head of BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov sentenced to 22 months in prison by London’s High Court for contempt of court appealed the ruling, Financial News writes citing the court's official representative. According to the magazine, Ablyazov filed an appeal on Tursday, March 8. London's High Court sentenced ex-head of BTA Bank to 22 months in prison on February 16. Later the court deprived Ablyazov from the right to defend in court, if he does not give in to British court by March 9. However, as the appeal has been filed one day before the deadline, the ruling on depriving Ablyazov from the right to defend will not come into effect until the appeal is reviewed. The hearing on this issue has not been scheduled yet. Ablyazov's representatives refused to comments on the appeal. Earlier British media wrote that Ablyazov could have fled to France. Representatives of BTA Bank also think that Ablyazov is likely in France. "It is suspected that this was by coach and that he may have had the use of a passport that he failed to deliver up. It is not known whether he remains in France," BTA Bank's barrister said.