A reporter who escaped from Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on press freedom in Russia was discovered dead following a mysterious fall from a window. Evgeny Safronov, 38, originally from Siberia, was found outside an apartment building in Paris. French authorities confirmed the incident and have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Prior to his demise, Safronov had reported receiving death threats and experiencing a cyberattack. He informed friends that his phone had been compromised, leading to his accounts being hacked. He expressed concerns about the security breach, stating that his devices had been cloned and his communications intercepted.
Safronov, who had worked for Open Media, a Russian-language outlet critical of the Kremlin, fled Russia in 2021 after facing pressure from authorities. He was known for covering issues related to press freedom, protests involving Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, and the tightening restrictions on free speech under Putin’s regime.
Having relocated to various countries before settling in Paris, Safronov struggled to rebuild his life after leaving Open Media. Concerns about surveillance and intimidation had troubled him, though the extent of these threats remains unclear. Investigators found a chair near the window and medication in the apartment, along with Russian-language letters.
While speculations suggest possible Russian threats against Safronov, prosecutors have emphasized the need for further examination before determining the cause of death. Several prominent figures in Russia have died in unexplained falls since the conflict with Ukraine, prompting references to ‘Sudden Russian Death Syndrome.’ Notable incidents include the deaths of Artur Pryakhin and Andrey Badalov in Moscow last year.
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