Mysterious Deaths of Putin Critics Raise Suspicions of Foul Play
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Russian President Vladimir Putin's opponents and critics continue to die suddenly, often in bizarre ways that authorities claim are accidental. This pattern spans Putin's leadership.
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Methods of death fit a Russian intelligence practice called "wet affairs," which makes assassination look accidental. Poisoning is common.
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Major Putin critics like opposition leader Alexei Navalny and Wagner group head Yevgeny Prigozhin died recently in odd circumstances.
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Other cases include journalist Anna Politkovskaya's shooting and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov's street murder.
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Investigators say deaths could be staged suicides or stealth assassinations by intelligence services, with Putin subtly hinting his involvement. Deaths eliminate rivals and send a warning.