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Russian Journalist, Putin Critic Dies After Severe Beating
Radio Free Europe ^ | 19 Apr 17 | Unknown

Posted on 04/20/2017 3:15:43 AM PDT by elhombrelibre

A prominent Russian journalist known for articles criticizing Russia’s government and President Vladimir Putin has died at a hospital in St. Petersburg after being severely beaten by unknown assailants.

Nikolai Andrushchenko, a 73-year-old co-founder of the weekly newspaper Novy Petersburg, had been unconscious since he was attacked on March 9.

Andrushchenko’s colleagues and his lawyer say he underwent brain surgery after the attack and initially had been connected to a ventilator, but later was able to breathe on his own.

However, they said he never regained consciousness and died on April 19.

His attackers have not been found.

Novy Petersburg editor Denis Usov linked the attack against Andrushchenko to articles that the newspaper has written about corruption in the city.

Those articles reported extensively on connections between St. Petersburg city officials and organized criminal syndicates.

Dunja Mijatovic, the representative for freedom of the press with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said in a Twitter message on April 19 that Andrushchenko’s death was the result of a "brutal beating."

Mijatovic has said that "journalists in Russia are far too often subject to acts of intimidation, threats and attacks."

Andrushchenko had been a member of the St. Petersburg city council from 1990 until 1993.

He became a renowned journalist as a result of his investigative reporting about human rights issues in Russia, organized crime, and police brutality.

Andrushchenko began to express concerns about Putin after he came to power in 2000, writing that the secret services were taking control over Russia.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted that Andrushchenko had been arrested and imprisoned in 2007 on charges of defamation and obstruction of justice after he reported on a murder investigation and trial in St. Petersburg.

The CPJ also noted that Andrushchenko had been beaten by unidentified attackers in November 2007.

At the time, Andrushchenko's colleagues said they thought his beating and detention by authorities were attempts to intimidate him over Novy Petersburg's critical coverage of local authorities ahead of parliamentary elections.

Andrushchenko later claimed he was tortured in custody.

In 2009, a court in St. Petersburg found him guilty of libel and extremism and fined him.

The Memorial Human Rights Center had recognized Andrushchenko as a political prisoner when he was in custody.


TOPICS: Russia
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To: vooch
GWB used to be head of CIA. think about it

It was George H.W. Bush and he was Director of the CIA for less than a full year. 355 days to be exact: January 30, 1976 – January 20, 1977

He left the office over 40 years ago. The odds are so slim as to be invisible that anyone in the Agency when he was director is still there, let alone willing to commit a crime for him.

Occam's Razor applies. A Russian likely beat him, more than likely due to something he was investigating or in retaliation for something he wrote. Putin is one of several potential possibilities.

21 posted on 04/20/2017 5:32:58 AM PDT by drop 50 and fire for effect ("Work relentlessly, accomplish much, remain in the background, and be more than you seem.)
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To: elhombrelibre

The 11th commandment in Russia.......Do not speak ill of Putin!


22 posted on 04/20/2017 5:45:50 AM PDT by kenmcg
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To: The_Media_never_lie; Pollster1
(2) Americans had him taken down as a false flag to portray Putin as a thug.

Putin has a clear track record of beating up on weaker neighbors (Georgia, Ukraine). He also has been rather indiscriminate using force within the Russian Federation and increased Russian military operations to near Cold War levels, he is already perceived as a thug.

Why would the U.S. government kill one of his few overt opponents to make redundant point?

23 posted on 04/20/2017 5:49:46 AM PDT by drop 50 and fire for effect ("Work relentlessly, accomplish much, remain in the background, and be more than you seem.)
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To: drop 50 and fire for effect
Why would the U.S. government kill one of his few overt opponents to make redundant point?

The US Government would not. Elements within our government might as part of their effort to limit President Trump's options. The #NeverTrump wing of both parties is unhinged. Keeping that aspect of Putin in the news might seem important enough to them to justify almost anything.

24 posted on 04/20/2017 5:55:20 AM PDT by Pollster1 ("Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed")
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To: RC one

Yeah, imagine if a few jihadists get beaten up today. It would be news for years.


25 posted on 04/20/2017 6:04:11 AM PDT by sagar
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To: vooch

“GWB used to be head of CIA. think about it”

I’ve thought about it. GWB was a part of the Illuminati bilderbergs CFR conspiracy to bring down the old world order to create the new, but as a false flag ops


26 posted on 04/20/2017 6:08:23 AM PDT by sagar
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To: elhombrelibre

Wow, what a mere coincidence #Russia


27 posted on 04/20/2017 6:11:14 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: The_Media_never_lie
Why would anyone assume 2), while history and logic make 1) more plausible?

Cognitive Dissonance is a powerful thing.

28 posted on 04/20/2017 6:15:07 AM PDT by Paradox ("Donald Trump", the biggest Strawman ever created.)
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To: sagar

Maybe that is why they put their guy Trump in power.


29 posted on 04/20/2017 6:17:56 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: kenmcg

The 11th commandment in Russia.......Do not speak ill of [Insert name of person in power here]!


30 posted on 04/20/2017 6:18:35 AM PDT by AppyPappy (Don't mistake your dorm political discussions with the desires of the nation)
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To: Sacajaweau

Besides Seth, seems I remember 2 or 3 others meeting untimely deaths around a year prior to the election. You peaked my curiosity, I’m gonna go out and research this.


31 posted on 04/20/2017 6:24:19 AM PDT by servantboy777
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To: elhombrelibre

"I looked the man in the eye. I found him very straightforward and trustworthy – I was able to get a sense of his soul."

32 posted on 04/20/2017 6:38:59 AM PDT by Rebelbase (Deportation mayhem is just birthing pains for a new America.)
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To: Moonman62

You noticed the key sentences in the article that the headline was designed to obscure.


33 posted on 04/20/2017 6:40:10 AM PDT by Fedora
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To: Rebelbase

Nothing but fourth rate politicians and crooks since Reagan.


34 posted on 04/20/2017 6:57:57 AM PDT by Delta 21
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