LONDON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- A Russian multimillionaire in exile in London is plotting a violent overthrow of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a Guardian report on Friday.

    Boris Berezovsky said that he is bankrolling people close to Putin and that they are conspiring to mount a palace coup, the Guardian reported.

    "We need to use force to change this regime," Berezovsky said. "It isn't possible to change this regime through democratic means. There can be no change without force, pressure."

    Asked if he was effectively fomenting a revolution, the tycoon who fled to London in 2000 and has been granted political asylum in Britain said, "You are absolutely correct. I am plotting a new Russian revolution."

    Although Berezovsky, with an estimated fortune of 850 million pounds (1.1 billion U.S. dollars), may have the means to finance such a plot, he said he could not provide any details to back up his claims because the information was too sensitive, according to the report.

    Berezovsky's remarks appeared calculated to enrage the Kremlin and will further inflame relations between London and Moscow, the report said.

    Berezovsky fled to Britain when a criminal investigation was opened into his business dealings. Russian prosecutors have applied to a British court to request his extradition but were turned down due to his refugee status.