It sounds like the plot of a thriller, but Nick Stride and his family's story is all true - and more extraordinary than a Hollywood film.
Nick's troubles began in the late '90s, when the British construction manager started a family in Moscow with his Russian wife Luda.
"I was chosen to work on a special project building a multimillion-dollar winter garden for the deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov," Nick, now 55, tells Woman's Day.
"It was very secretive and I was the only westerner." Nick was soon to realise the power held by Igor, who was the right-hand man to President Vladimir Putin, and it slowly dawned on him that those who displeased or betrayed the Russian leaders disappeared. As he gradually became irreplaceable, while also holding sensitive financial information, he felt his life was in danger.
"I was under constant surveillance," says Nick. "They didn't want me to leave and we were scared." After months of secret plotting, Luda and Nick managed to escape Russia in October 2010, fleeing to the furthest country they could think of, Australia, with their children Michael and Anya, then aged 10 and nine.
"I was excited - I thought we were going on a holiday," says Anya, now 23. "I wanted to see kangaroos." After travelling around Western Australia, the family applied for asylum. They settled in a Perth caravan park, with Nick occasionally finding cash-in-hand work while the children attended school.
Denne historien er fra April 21, 2024-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 21, 2024-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine New Zealand.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family