German prosecutors are conducting an investigation to determine if Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko was the target of an attempted murder when she fell ill during a train journey to Berlin. Despite the fact that four of her colleagues were previously murdered for their reporting, Kostyuchenko did not initially consider the possibility of being poisoned. She stated that when working as an investigative reporter in Russia, precautionary measures were always followed. However, upon arriving in Europe, she forgot about these security measures.
Kostyuchenko’s symptoms began with disorientation and stomach ache on her trip from Munich to Berlin and persisted for several weeks. By the time she realized poisoning might be the cause, it was too late to identify any toxins. She described experiencing severe swelling, to the extent that she had to remove her rings. Even months later, she remains exhausted and is only able to work three hours daily.
It is not unprecedented for opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin residing abroad to be victimized through poisoning. Notable cases include former secret agents Sergei Skripal, who survived the attack, and Sergei Litvinenko, who did not. Additionally, a former Chechen rebel died in Berlin, with a German court ruling that it was a state-sponsored assassination by Russia. However, the Kremlin has repeatedly denied involvement in these killings.
Kostyuchenko, who had never worked with secret services, noted that these poisonings align with Putin’s narrative of punishing traitors. She had assumed that in Europe, she would be safe. For Russian activists and journalists who perceive themselves to be at risk in their home country, European Union capitals are often seen as potential safe havens. Consequently, the prospect of being targeted abroad represents a disturbing escalation.
Reflecting on her initial reaction upon being informed by doctors that she had likely been poisoned, Kostyuchenko confesses that she laughed. During a similar timeframe, two other independent Russian female journalists were also apparently poisoned while abroad, experiencing similar symptoms. Berlin prosecutors have confirmed that an investigation into the attempted murder of Elena Kostyuchenko is currently underway.
Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Mike Harrison
Credit: The Star : News Feed
