Vladimir Putin critic in coma after suspected poisoning
Opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza placed in medical coma - two years after suffering similar symptoms
Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition politician and prominent Kremlin critic, has been placed in a medically induced coma after suffering organ failure caused by poison, his wife has said.
His hospitalisation comes two years after he suffered similar symptoms in what he also believed was a poisoning.
Kara-Murza was admitted to an intensive-care unit in Moscow last week in a critical condition. At the time, his wife, Yevvgenia, told Radio Free Europe he had "low blood pressure" and "respiratory insufficiency".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
She has since said he suffered "severe intoxication by an unknown substance". Samples of his blood, hair and fingernails have been sent for testing in France and Israel.
Kara-Murza fell ill while taking a train ride from the Siberian city of Tver, according to the Daily Beast's Michael Weiss. Kara-Murza had just screened a film about former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, a political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nemtsov was shot dead near the Kremlin in February 2015.
"Putin's enemies have had a bad habit over the years of ingesting things they shouldn’t, from dioxin to polonium to killer flowers," says Weiss.
In May 2015, Kara-Murza was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and tests found high levels of heavy metals in his blood, but no criminal case was opened. "The symptoms are apparently similar to those that were then," said his lawyer of Kara-Murza's current condition.
The 2015 poisoning came just "three months after Nemstov was murdered, in a case that could be compared to that of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko in the UK", says Buzzfeed News. An exhaustive British inquiry into Litvinenko's death determined that Putin had likely ordered the murder through the use of polonium, a radioactive isotope.
Many eyes are now on US President Donald Trump to see how he responds to the Kara-Murzas' claims.
"Kara-Murza is the sort of freedom fighter that the United States has always defended," says the Washington Post, and if Trump does nothing on his behalf it will show his administration is "ready to appease Mr Putin at the price of American values".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published