A high-profile Russian economist has identified irregularities and “grossly improper” behaviour in the disputed repossession of Oslo Marine Group (OMG) assets by Bank St Petersburg, according to a report filed as part of the litigation between the companies.

Sergei Guriev, who was asked by lawyers for OMG chief executive Vitaly Arkhangelsky to carry out the report, submitted it shortly before he was announced this week as the new chief economist for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Bank