The tiny platinum bullet which killed BBC broadcaster Georgi Markov, who had defected from Bulgaria in 1969. The pellet measured 1.7 mm/1/16 in, and contained ricin, a deadly poison. It was injected into Markov’s leg using an umbrella, while he was waiting to take a bus (London, UK 1978)
Georgi Markov (1929-1978) was a Bulgarian dissident writer and journalist. He is best known for his criticism of the Bulgarian communist regime and his subsequent assassination in London in 1978. Here’s a brief overview of his life and the circumstances surrounding his assassination:
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Early Life and Career in Bulgaria: Georgi Markov was a successful writer and playwright in Bulgaria during the 1960s. His works were well-received, and he was considered one of the country’s leading literary figures.
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Dissidence: Over time, Markov became increasingly critical of the Bulgarian communist regime led by Todor Zhivkov. This led to tensions with the authorities, censorship of his works, and eventually his defection to the West in 1969.
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Life in the West: After defecting, Markov settled in London, where he worked as a broadcaster for the BBC World Service, Radio Free Europe, and Deutsche Welle. In these roles, he continued to criticize the Bulgarian government and its policies.
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Assassination: On September 7, 1978, Markov was waiting for a bus near Waterloo Bridge in London when he felt a sharp sting on the back of his leg. He turned to see a man picking up an umbrella and quickly walking away. Markov fell ill and died four days later. An autopsy revealed a tiny pellet embedded in his leg, which was found to contain the deadly poison ricin.
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The Umbrella Murder: The assassination method, involving a modified umbrella that could shoot a poison pellet, led to the incident being dubbed “The Umbrella Murder.” It is widely believed that the Bulgarian Secret Service carried out the assassination with the assistance or knowledge of the KGB.
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Motivation: The primary motivation for Markov’s assassination was his outspoken criticism of the Bulgarian communist regime. His broadcasts and writings were a source of embarrassment for the Bulgarian government, and they viewed him as a traitor and a threat.
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Aftermath: The assassination of Georgi Markov during the Cold War era highlighted the lengths to which Eastern Bloc intelligence agencies would go to silence dissidents. The case remained unsolved for many years, and while there have been investigations and speculations, no one has been officially charged or convicted for the murder.
Markov’s assassination remains one of the most infamous Cold War-era killings and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by dissidents and critics of authoritarian regimes.
