Anti-Putin activist found dead in Moscow

Alexei Devotchenko, an actor and prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead in his Moscow apartment on Wednesday. He was 49.

The Guardian deemed the circumstances of his death "not immediately clear." While Russian investigators said Devotchenko's death wasn't violent and have scheduled an autopsy, a friend claimed the actor was murdered. The Independent also notes that some Russian news outlets have reported he was found dead "in a pool of blood."

A famous stage actor, Devotchenko was a committed activist during the 2011 protests against the Kremlin. More recently, he had spoken out against Russia's treatment of gay people and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. "I am sick of this empire-state, with its lies, conspiracy of silence, legitimized theft, bribe-taking and all its other virtues," he once wrote.

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