Another Tragic Russian Accident
You've got to be truly dedicated to be a reporter these days, particularly in some countries where to be dedicated to unveiling the truth can be a death sentence. Those people whose courage matches their convictions, who live determined lives of exposing corruption and guilt, who insist on holding politicians accountable to their constituents walk a fine line between existence and the great beyond.
Nowhere can this be truer than in Russia. The surprising thing is that it is the Russia of today. Post-Communist Russia which says it has nothing to hide. The country which, under the leadership of a former KGB apparatchik has turned itself around to become an economic power well on its way to restoring itself to its former position of prestigious world leader. But this is a country well acquainted with a very dark side of itself.
And at this particular time in its history Vladimir Putin has assumed the dark mantle to the outside world of a respectable Rasputin. While internally the people seem to worship him for being the strong and decisive leader that they feel most comfortable with. A leader who has seemed to do all the right things to bring respect back to Russia, to lead it out of its chaotic economic collapse and upon whom no whisper of scandal has descended.
Oh, wait. There's the matter of all those unexplained and very puzzling deaths. From the murder of reporters in strange circumstances, to the poisoning of expatriate accusers abroad. But none of this makes any sense, does it? Why would a leader enjoying such popular acclaim at home and respect abroad have anything at all to do with tawdry assassinations? Obviously, they're simply a coincidence of happenstance.
Like the latest one, the surprising death of Ivan Safronov, military affairs writer for Kommersant. Poor unfortunate man, he must have committed suicide. His colleagues and relatives describe him as a strong and cheerful personality, unlikely to kill himself. Details. He frequently brought accusations to bear against the KGB and did not exactly endear himself to them. Details.
Evidently he pushed himself from a window in the stairwell of the apartment he lived in. He had been shopping; a bag of spilled oranges was found along with his hat on the landing between the fourth and fifth floors. He must have been confused going all that way up, two floors past his own apartment on the third floor. Details, confusing details.
Two students in the building heard Mr. Safronov fall. They called emergency services and were told to call back in 30 minutes if he was still moving.
Nowhere can this be truer than in Russia. The surprising thing is that it is the Russia of today. Post-Communist Russia which says it has nothing to hide. The country which, under the leadership of a former KGB apparatchik has turned itself around to become an economic power well on its way to restoring itself to its former position of prestigious world leader. But this is a country well acquainted with a very dark side of itself.
And at this particular time in its history Vladimir Putin has assumed the dark mantle to the outside world of a respectable Rasputin. While internally the people seem to worship him for being the strong and decisive leader that they feel most comfortable with. A leader who has seemed to do all the right things to bring respect back to Russia, to lead it out of its chaotic economic collapse and upon whom no whisper of scandal has descended.
Oh, wait. There's the matter of all those unexplained and very puzzling deaths. From the murder of reporters in strange circumstances, to the poisoning of expatriate accusers abroad. But none of this makes any sense, does it? Why would a leader enjoying such popular acclaim at home and respect abroad have anything at all to do with tawdry assassinations? Obviously, they're simply a coincidence of happenstance.
Like the latest one, the surprising death of Ivan Safronov, military affairs writer for Kommersant. Poor unfortunate man, he must have committed suicide. His colleagues and relatives describe him as a strong and cheerful personality, unlikely to kill himself. Details. He frequently brought accusations to bear against the KGB and did not exactly endear himself to them. Details.
Evidently he pushed himself from a window in the stairwell of the apartment he lived in. He had been shopping; a bag of spilled oranges was found along with his hat on the landing between the fourth and fifth floors. He must have been confused going all that way up, two floors past his own apartment on the third floor. Details, confusing details.
Two students in the building heard Mr. Safronov fall. They called emergency services and were told to call back in 30 minutes if he was still moving.
Labels: Heros and Villains
posted by Pieface | 5:53 PM
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