Putin Poll Rival Tells Of 'Kidnap'

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | Anton La Guardia

[blam]

Putin poll rival tells of 'kidnap'

By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor
(Filed: 14/02/2004)

A fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin who vanished for several days claimed yesterday that he was kidnapped, drugged and filmed in a "revolting" video designed to compromise him.

Ivan Rybkin

Ivan Rybkin, who is standing in the presidential election next month, said in London his life was in danger and he would conduct the rest of his campaign by video link and television advertisements.

Mr Rybkin was reported missing by his wife last week but he reappeared five days later in Kiev and flew back to Moscow.

At first he said he had gone away to escape the constant attentions of the Russian secret service and announced a week-long break from the campaign.

But yesterday he said he was lured away from Moscow on what he thought was a secret mission to meet Aslan Maskhadov, the Chechen rebel leader.

Mr Rybkin, a former speaker of the Russian parliament is the candidate for Liberal Russia, a party backed by Boris Berezovsky, a tycoon in exile in London. He said he was taken to the Ukrainian capital accompanied by unknown men and arrived at a flat there on Feb 6.

"I had tea and sandwiches and suddenly felt drowsy," said Mr Rybkin through an interpreter. When he woke up, he said, two armed men told him it was Feb 10 and showed him newspaper articles about his disappearance.

"They showed me a revolting video tape with my participation," he added. "It was a plan to compromise me and force me to be co-operative." Mr Rybkin said the video was made by "perverts". In a reference to the president, he said: "I know who benefited."

Opinion polls have given Mr Rybkin just one per cent of the vote, but he claimed his support was much greater.

Mr Rybkin's wife did not follow him to London. This week the Interfax news agency quoted her as saying: "Poor Russia if such people are trying to lead her."

The head of the Russian election commission criticised state TV for extensive coverage of an election address by Mr Putin.

[Andy from Beaverton]

How can they even call him a rival when only 1% are going to vote for him?

[thoughtomator]

This is not what he said when he first came back from Kiev.

[Cicero]

Mr Rybkin's wife did not follow him to London. This week the Interfax news agency quoted her as saying: "Poor Russia if such people are trying to lead her."

I can't help wondering exactly whom she is referring to.

Sounds like The Lost Weekend to me.

[mass55th]

This sounds like the type of excuse Kerry would use to explain the rumors of his affair.

[blam]

"This is not what he said when he first came back from Kiev."

I think the guy was probably on an alcohol/drug binge.

[RussianConservative]

How was bonking the girlfriend Rybkin? Is it good night of fun?

[A. Pole]

But yesterday he said he was lured away from Moscow on what he thought was a secret mission to meet Aslan Maskhadov, the Chechen rebel leader.

I guess befriending Chechen "freedom" fighters might be risky.

Return of the Famous Five

[A. Pole]

How can they even call him a rival when only 1% are going to vote for him?

Because he has support of "reform minded oligarchs" and Western democratic credentials.

[steve50]

Because he has support of "reform minded oligarchs" and Western democratic credentials.

We got a winner folks. Remind anybody of the song and dance that played out in Georgia?

[RussianConservative]

Translation: he ready to give away all industry and resources of Russia to highest bidder and has Western corporate interest already in pocket for at least some of resources.