He revealed his relationship with Alina Kabaeva/ Putin's "personal enemy" dies from poisonous mushrooms

2026-06-23 07:44:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

He revealed his relationship with Alina Kabaeva/ Putin's "personal

Russian journalist Grigory Nekhoroshev was found dead at the age of 69 in Riga. He had become famous in 2008 when he published a report in the newspaper "Moskovsky Korrespondent" about an alleged affair between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Olympic rhythmic gymnastics champion Alina Kabaeva.

According to Latvian media, Nekhoroshev died in his home after consuming wild mushrooms that he had picked himself in his yard. Although he had experience in picking mushrooms, they turned out to be poisonous. Latvian authorities are expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The journalist had lived in Latvia for 11 years as a political refugee. His friends and associates have said he often expressed concerns for his personal safety, believing he was being targeted by the Kremlin because of his publications. He had described himself as a “personal enemy” of Putin.

The reporting that shocked Russia in 2008

As editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Moskovsky Korrespondent", Nekhoroshev published an article in 2008 claiming that Putin was planning to divorce his then-wife, Lyudmila Putina, to marry Kabaeva.

The article caused a great stir in Russia and internationally, as it addressed an aspect of the Russian president's private life that had until then been kept out of public view.

Shortly after, the newspaper ceased publication. Its former owner, Alexander Lebedev, stated that he had been under great pressure. Nekhoroshev himself said that he had been interrogated by Russian security services and then forced to leave the country.

At the time, Putin denied reports of an affair with Kabaeva and criticized those who, he said, interfered in people's private lives. However, in recent years, various international media outlets have published reports that speak of a long-term relationship between them.

The news of Nekhoroshev's death has caused reactions and sadness among Russian journalists in exile. Journalist Bozhena Rynska called his loss "unimaginable," while friends described him as an energetic, creative man with many plans for the future.

So far, Latvian authorities have not issued an official statement on the case and it is expected that the autopsy results will shed more light on the circumstances of the death. /CNA