German authorities are investigating a possible poisoning on Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko in October 2022, the Berlin prosecutor has confirmed, according to The Guardian. The alleged attack could have taken place on a train journey from Munich to Berlin, where she travelled to apply for a visa to cover the war in Ukraine for the independent news outlet Meduza.
In an article published in US media n+1 and the Russian-language Meduza on August 15, 2023, Kostyuchenko described experiencing severe head and stomach aches, strong bodily aroma “like a rotten fruit”, weakness and shortness of breath. Kostyuchenko experienced the mentioned symptoms on a train journey from Munich to Berlin, where she travelled to apply for a visa to cover the war in Ukraine for the independent news outlet Meduza.
She recalled in the article how, months before the alleged poisoning, a colleague warned her about Russian plans to assassinate her in March 2022 in Mariupol, where she was reporting on the war in Ukraine. “They [the Kadyrovites, a Chechen subdivision of Rosgvardia] are not planning to hold you. They are going to kill you. That’s been approved”. On April 1, Kostyuchenko left Ukraine for Germany.
The Insider reported that both reporters were tested for toxins at Berlin’s Charité hospital, but blood tests taken from Kostyuchenko in late 2022 were inconclusive. As for Babloyan’s blood samples, they were lost and she never received the results, according to the online investigative newspaper.
The IFJ and the EFJ are extremely alarmed by the alleged poisonings and call on the authorities to launch an immediate investigation.
“There is extensive evidence of the Russian regime’s deceptive, underhand and deadly methods of dealing with those who expose and criticise its actions. Apparent poisonings of this kind deserve swift and thorough investigation – both to shine light on Putin’s despicable actions and so that others can protect themselves.”