India: two Russian oligarchs die mysteriously, a first in the country

The Russian flag flying above the Duma in Moscow.

(illustrative photo) AP - Alexander Zemlianichenko

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

In India, two Russian tycoons died mysteriously.

Millionaire Pavel Antov, a critic of the war in Ukraine, defenestrated from his hotel on December 24.

Two days earlier, his colleague Vladimir Budanov had been found dead.

The press wonders about these deaths, which recall those of other Russian opponents in the world. 

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With our correspondent in Bangalore

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Pavel Antov had come to celebrate his 66th birthday in the Rayaga region, in the state of Orissa, and he incomprehensibly threw himself into the void from the third floor of his hotel.

" 

 ," said his Indian guide.

The local police are talking about a suicide.

For the press, however, there is room for doubt as his death resembles those of the many Russian oligarchs who dared to speak out against Vladimir Putin.

Pavel Antov made his fortune in sausages and is said to own more than $150 million.

He was a member of United Russia, the party of Vladimir Putin.

In a message, however, he criticized the war in Ukraine.

He then deleted the message and apologized flatly.

Indian diplomacy remains silent for the moment

His colleague Vladimir Budanov was not known to be a critic of power.

However, he also died, two days earlier, of a heart attack in his room.

A natural death, according to medical examiners.

This is the first time that oligarchs have died mysteriously on Indian soil, which spares its Russian partner before the

.

While Moscow speaks of a tragedy, New Delhi's diplomacy has so far not spoken.

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