NEWS: Critic of President Vladimir Putin Disappears

The mystery surrounding the disapearance of Russian presidential candidate Ivan Rybkin, a former speaker of Parliament and strong critic of President Vladimir Putin, has deepened with the launch -- and then cancellation -- of a murder probe.

Rybkin is a supporter of negotiations with Chechen separatists, an idea Putin vehemently rejected just last Friday following a subway bombing blamed on Chechen terrorists.

More (CNN)

Last week, in an open letter published in the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Rybkin accused Putin of being "the biggest oligarch in Russia."

"I am convinced Putin has no right to power in Russia ... and we have no right to be silent about it," Rybkin wrote.

He also accused the president of being allied with forces trying to control Russian business.
Putin did not answer the charges...
Or maybe Putin did answer...

Russia Journal




[Edited on 9-2-2004 by Kano]

That figures. People will do anything to stay in power, and rid themselves of the critics.

Hey is it just me or does this guy look just like Jimmy Hoffa?

We all know Putin is a man of the trade (ex-KGB), so I would not be surpised IF he is at least remotly involved in this interesting but also very concerning development.

Putin had the elction virtually sown-up. The "rival" was of no consequence, in regards to the elections, other than he was an out-spoken critic of Putin.
Putin has a number rivals that are more aggressively out-spoken than this 'missing' rival.
I may be thinking wrong, but I do not think Putin would have a hand in this "rival's" disappearance Putin's being elected was pretty much assured.....the latest numbers I saw had Putin at over 70%.

IMHO, with nothing to back this assertion up, but I believe that the rival may have been axed by the Russian Mafia for one thing or another. Just a theory but as such, may be totally wrong.


regards
seekerof

What? nobody picked up on my joke? Man what a serious bunch around here.

Originally posted by THENEO
What? nobody picked up on my joke? Man what a serious bunch around here.

Who is Jimmy Hoffa?

Do a search on the web, its an interesting story that people talked about a lot about 20 years ago or so.

Originally posted by THENEO
Do a search on the web, its an interesting story that people talked about a lot about 20 years ago or so.

God, people *THENEO* on ATS are very serious. They can't even take a joke.

LOL! see I told you man.

Originally posted by THENEO
LOL! see I told you man.

I guess I agree with you again.

............................NEWS FLASH..............................
"Missing Russian Politician Found in Ukraine"
www.reuters.com...;jsessionid=I31Q1GR0G0YBICRBAEOCFEY?type=worldNews&storyID=4325913


Russian paronia that triggered harsh speculations aimed at Putin ended today when Russian presidential candidate Ivan Rybkin says:

"I didn't disappear anywhere. I bought a newspaper today and was stunned...."



Great news to hear.....glad he is okkie dokkie and AOK!


regards
seekerof

[Edited on 10-2-2004 by Seekerof]

yeah, I wanna see the body myself.

Originally posted by surfup

Originally posted by THENEO
What? nobody picked up on my joke? Man what a serious bunch around here.

Who is Jimmy Hoffa?

I'm pretty sure he just withdrew his support of Howard Dean and endorsed Kerry.

KIDDING! He's supporting a nice family of Bone Fish right now.