[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] Grigory Nekhoroshev, the Russian journalist who exposed the private life of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has reportedly died in an incident suspected to be caused by poisonous mushroom poisoning. He was 69.
According to Latvian media outlet Delfi, Nekhoroshev was found dead at his home in Riga, the capital of the Republic of Latvia, on the 19th local time.
He is said to have lived in political exile in the Republic of Latvia for the past 11 years.
Nekhoroshev, who previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Russian newspaper Moscow Correspondent, caused a major stir in 2008 when he first reported that Putin, after divorcing his then-wife Lyudmila, was planning to marry rhythmic gymnastics Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva.
The report shook Russian politics at the time, and Nekhoroshev later described himself as Putin's "personal enemy."
Delfi reported, "Nekhoroshev was the first person to reveal the name of Alina Kabaeva, who is known as Putin's common-law partner," adding, "It appears Putin never forgave him for that."
According to acquaintances, Nekhoroshev's condition worsened after he ate mushrooms he had picked himself in the yard of his home. He was known to have been interested in mushroom foraging and edible mushrooms, but the mushrooms he consumed are believed to have been a toxic species.
So far, Latvian authorities have not officially announced the exact cause of death, and an autopsy is expected to determine the details.
Meanwhile, Putin has not officially acknowledged any relationship with Kabaeva, but Western media outlets have reported that the two are believed to have two sons, aged 11 and 7.
Jang Jong-ho bellho@sportschosun.com
