Legal
Russian scientist who helped create COVID vaccine found strangled to death
A Russian scientist who was given a presidential award for helping create Russia’s vaccine against COVID-19 was strangled while arguing with a prostitute at his home, local officials say.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said 47-year-old Andrey Botikov, a senior researcher at the Gamaleya Institute, was strangled with a belt during an argument at his Moscow apartment on Thursday.
The suspect, a 29-year-old man, fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with murder, Moscow’s judiciary said. He appeared in court on Friday and admitted to killing the researcher.
Russian news website Mash reported that Botikov had ordered the services of a male prostitute – Alexei Zmanovsky – to perform erotic asphyxiation, also known as breath control play.
“When he arrived, the men argued over the type and volume of sex services. As a result, the escort killed the scientist and stole personal belongings,” Mash reported. The escort’s girlfriend, an 18-year-old woman, was waiting outside.
President Vladimir Putin awarded Botikov and other scientists with the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” in 2021 for creating Russia’s COVID vaccine, Sputnik V.
-
World1 day ago
U.S. and China report 3 more human cases of bird flu, UN calls for urgent action
-
Politics1 week ago
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee dead at 74
-
Legal7 days ago
Florida man arrested for threatening to kill Trump and Vance
-
World1 week ago
7.4-magnitude earthquake hits northern Chile
-
Legal5 days ago
At least 19 people shot, 3 killed, outside Mississippi nightclub
-
World1 week ago
Cyanide found on tea cups after 6 people die at Bangkok hotel
-
Legal7 days ago
Texas Amber Alert: 2 children last seen in Bastrop County
-
Legal1 week ago
Kansas Amber Alert: Jaxon Halley abducted in Kansas City