Missing Russian Politician Found in Ukraine

reuters ^ | 2/10/04

[knak]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian presidential candidate Ivan Rybkin, whose mystery disappearance triggered speculation he might have been kidnapped by rivals, turned up in

Ukraine Tuesday where he said he had been taking a break.

Rybkin, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin whom he will challenge in next month's election, told Russian media he was surprised at the fuss caused by his failure to contact family and aides.

"I didn't disappear anywhere. I bought a newspaper today and was stunned," Ekho Moskvy radio quoted him as saying.

Rybkin, who disappeared last Thursday, told Interfax news agency that he was entitled to go on a short break.

"I have the right to two or three days of personal life. I went to Kiev to my friends, walked around, switched off my mobile phones, and didn't watch TV," he was quoted as saying.

"Over the last week I decided to have a rest from the fuss, which has surrounded me. I left my wife, who is now taking care of our grandchildren, fruit and money, but didn't tell her anything. I changed my jacket, got onto the train and left for Kiev."

He said he telephoned after reading newspapers in Kiev.

Rybkin was due to fly back to Moscow later in the evening and was certain to face hordes of reporters as well as his own baffled campaign workers.

Rybkin's aide said he had telephoned to say he had been relaxing in Ukraine.

"His voice was cheerful and jolly, I am very glad that he is alive and healthy," Ksenia Ponomaryova said by telephone. "I do not know why he didn't tell anyone anything."

Rybkin, 57, went missing last Thursday triggering suggestions that he had been kidnapped by political rivals.

Two days later he was formally registered as one of six candidates running against Putin in the March 14 presidential election. None is seen as posing any serious threat to Putin's chances of winning by a landslide a second term in the Kremlin.

[lunatic12]

SOunds like interns were involved.

[headsonpikes]

I'd vote for this down-to-earth guy.

[nuconvert]

And he doesn't tell his family?

Hmmm....................

[Quick Shot]

... or mass quantities of Vodka.

[small_l_libertarian]

< cough>love-shack</ cough>

[Sacajaweau]

Wonder how many folks thought Putin did him in?

[George W. Bush]

Probably kidnapped and photographic blackmail was compiled.

He will lose gracefully, per Putin's schedule.

[sarasota]

He went out for a few days and didn't tell anyone? Sounds like a tryst to me.

[eastforker]

More interesting than that, look in the near future for an assasination attempt on Putin, just my 2 cents worth.

[Dr. Frank fan]

bingo - we have a winner

[pepsionice]

The guy probably had his girlfriend...and just wanted a couple of days of rest with her...and left the old wife back at home...no doubt. You see this all the time with Russian and European politicians....disappear supposedly for a conference but show up at a quiet hotel in the middle of nowhere with the mistress in tow.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hmm, FNC just reported it was thought he'd been found the other day but that he's still missing. Something smells.

[Sender]

A pingy for your thoughts.

[George W. Bush]

Heh-heh.

[jimbo123]

Funny thing is, his wife will be angry at his mistress, not her cheating husband.

[mabelkitty]

So he was black-mailed and then released.

[mabelkitty]

Hey, ask him if he's seen Spalding Gray?

[RckyRaCoCo]

"I never had sex with that girl, Miss Babushka....."

[genefromjersey]

Ah,but...Natasha Fatal.....:That's a Moose of a different color, Rocky !