Russia: Three Women Journalists Living in Exile Targeted in Suspected Poisonings
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these dangerous attacks on journalists critical of the Kremlin and urges the international community to intervene to ensure their safety
Location: Russia
Date: August 16, 2023
Over the past year, there have been multiple incidents of suspected poisonings targeting Russian activists and journalists residing and operating in Europe and the United States. Among those affected are Elena Kostyuchenko, Irina Babloyan, and Natalia Arno. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses deep outrage at these attacks. We strongly condemn Russia for these attempted murders and call for immediate intervention from the international community.
At least three Russian women journalists, now living in exile, revealed that they had been poisoned. The incidents, which occurred in various locations including Munich, Tbilisi, and Prague, have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of those who dare to speak out against the Russian government. Among those affected are Elena Kostyuchenko, Irina Babloyan, and Natalia Arno, all journalists who have previously reported critically on Russian politics and the invasion of Ukraine.
Elena Kostyuchenko
During the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war, Novaya Gazeta correspondent Elena Kostyuchenko traveled to Ukraine but had to leave due to threats on her life from Chechen units. She found refuge in Berlin and later settled there. In October, she planned a reporting trip to Iran but had trouble securing a Ukrainian visa when planning to return to the country. She traveled to Munich for an appointment at the Ukrainian Consulate. While dining with a friend, Kostyuchenko found her food had an unpleasant taste.
On her way back to Berlin, Kostyuchenko experienced various health issues including headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and stomach pain while traveling. She consulted a doctor and tests showed abnormal levels of liver enzymes and blood in her urine. She developed new symptoms like facial and finger swelling, as well as hand-foot syndrome. German doctors suspected poisoning and recommended tests at Charité Hospital. Kostyuchenko contacted the police and an investigation was opened.
Based on the clinical findings and laboratory data, Elena Kostyuchenko experienced severe liver and kidney damage, as well as neurological abnormalities. The experts reviewing her case suspect that the toxic substance used was an organochlorine compound, specifically dichloroethane. It is unlikely that the poison entered her body through respiration, as it would have caused lung damage. Instead, it is more likely that the poison entered through food ingestion.
Irina Babloyan
In October 2022, Irina Babloyan, a journalist from Ekho Moskvy, relocated from Moscow to Tbilisi and stayed at the King Tamar Hotel. On October 25, she began feeling unwell and woke up the next morning experiencing extreme dizziness and weakness. Subsequently, she developed symptoms of hand-foot syndrome, with her palms turning purple and feeling like they were burning.
On October 26, Babloyan traveled to Yerevan by car and experienced brain fog and difficulty concentrating during the journey. She described feeling constant fatigue and a sense that her body was not her own. Intense anxiety accompanied these sensations.
In her Yerevan hotel, Babloyan endured stomach pain, nausea, insomnia, and a metallic taste in her mouth. She underwent allergy testing, but all results for known allergens were negative.
Months later, Babloyan relocated to Berlin and provided a blood sample for toxicology testing at Charité Hospital. However, she was informed by doctors that her blood samples had gone missing. Concurrently, she was extensively questioned by the police regarding the events. Recently, she submitted a second blood sample for testing.
The experts consulted by The Insider stated that the symptoms described by Babloyan do not align with any recognized illness, which suggests that exogenous poisoning is the most plausible explanation. The resemblance to the symptoms experienced by Elena Kostyuchenko indicates that they potentially encountered the same or a similarly toxic substance.
Natalia Arno
On May 2, 2023, Natalia Arno, the head of the Free Russian Foundation, experienced a concerning incident in Prague. After attending a private event, she discovered that the door to her hotel room at Hotel Garden Court was open upon her return. Although nothing was missing, she detected the distinct scent of perfume.
During that night, Arno woke up experiencing numbness and pain throughout her body. The intensity of the pain was particularly pronounced in her teeth, tongue, ears, chest, and spine. She also noticed a metallic taste in her mouth, blurry vision, and numbness in her hands and feet.
After returning to her residence in Washington, D.C., Arno sought medical attention and her case prompted an investigation by U.S. law enforcement authorities. The specific results of her toxicology tests remain undisclosed, but doctors informed her that she had been poisoned by a neurotoxic substance.
Poisoning - The Deadly Weapon of Choice for Russian Security Services
For over a century, poison has been employed as a means of assassination by Russian security services. Russian operatives have faced allegations of engaging in a series of lethal poisonings, involving substances such as Novichok, which have targeted prominent figures. These incidents include the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the attempted assassination of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in the UK, and the killing of Alexander Litvinenko.
Recent reports suggest that Russia maintains two clandestine poison production facilities, indicating a long-established and substantial involvement in activities related to poisoning.
This latest series of poisonings underscores the ongoing dangers faced by exiled Russians critical of the Kremlin's regime. It highlights the need for increased protection and international attention to stop Russia’s sinister plot to silence those who speak out against Putin and his government.
Media Crackdown Intensifies
Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a significant crackdown on independent media in Russia. Critical media within the country has been almost entirely censored and authorities have imprisoned, detained, and harassed journalists for reporting stories that challenge the Kremlin's narrative.
The state wields extensive authority over the majority of media within Russia and many independent media outlets banned, blocked, or labeled as "foreign agents" or "undesirable organizations." Additionally, remaining media outlets are now subject to military censorship, further limiting the availability of unbiased information.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly behind Elena Kostyuchenko, Irina Babloyan, and Natalia Arno, offering our unwavering support to these brave women journalists.
Those countries and governments that are now home to the affected journalists must act swiftly to ensure they are better protected. This could include providing safety measures, legal support, and access to medical care for those targeted by poisonings. violence. The governments of Germany, Georgia, and the US must intervene to ensure the journalists’ safety.
We vehemently condemn Russia for these attempted murders and wholeheartedly denounce the acts of poisoning perpetrated against them, considering them abhorrent acts of violence.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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