Journalist Who Exposed Putin's Secret Relationship With Kabaeva Dies in Exile

Russian journalist Grigory Nekhoroshev, who became known for publishing a report about Vladimir Putin's alleged relationship with Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, has died in exile in Latvia. She was aged 69.

Nekhoroshev, the former editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Korrespondent, died at his home in Riga. According to The Sun, people close to him said she became seriously ill after eating mushrooms he had collected while foraging near his home. The mushrooms were later believed to have been poisonous.

The journalist had been living in Latvia for around 11 years as a political refugee after leaving Russia following pressure linked to his work. Nekhoroshev gained international attention in 2008 after Moskovsky Korrespondent published a report claiming that Putin was planning to divorce his wife Lyudmila Putina and marry Kabaeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnastics champion.

The report, published in April 2008, became one of the first public claims connecting Putin and Kabaeva. The report triggered a major controversy in Russia.

According to previous reports on the closure of Moskovsky Korrespondent, the newspaper was shut down soon after the controversy, while its owner Alexander Lebedev faced pressure.

Nekhoroshev was reportedly questioned by security officials and later left the country. Putin dismissed the claims at the time and criticised those investigating his private life, accusing them of spreading rumours.

Kabaeva also denied the allegations. However, international media have continued reporting on their alleged long-term relationship over the years.Friends of Nekhoroshev said he remained worried about possible threats even while living abroad.

Latvian journalist Igors Vatoļins, who met him shortly before his death, described him as someone who was still active and full of ideas. He said Nekhoroshev would be remembered as the journalist who first revealed Kabaeva's name in connection with Putin, according to comments reported by The Sun.

There is no confirmed evidence that Nekhoroshev's death was connected to any foul play. However, the case has renewed attention on the deaths of several Kremlin critics and opponents over the years.Investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya was killed in Moscow in 2006, while former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko died in London after being poisoned.

Opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was shot near the Kremlin in 2015, and Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash in 2023. More recently, Russian artist Semyon Skrepetsky, known for creating works mocking Putin, was shot dead in Poland.

Reuters reported that Polish authorities detained a suspect in connection with the killing and are investigating the case. Although Putin and Kabaeva have never
publicly acknowledged a relationship, reports about their alleged connection have continued for years.

The story that first brought Nekhoroshev into the spotlight remains one of the most controversial reports involving the Russian president's private life.