Pavel Antov, a Russian sausage magnate and politician who criticised President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine, died after falling "mysteriously" from the third-floor window of a hotel in India. Antov was holidaying in Rayagada region of Odisha, to celebrate his upcoming 66th birthday.
Russian Authorities Claim Antov "Fell" From the Window
The Telegraph reported that Antov was found lying in a pool of blood outside the Hotel Sai International, where he was staying. The outlet further claimed that an unnamed police official told an Indian news outlet they suspected that the Russian tycoon committed suicide as was depressed following the death of his friend who was found dead in the same hotel.
On Thursday, 61-year-old Vladimir Bidenov was found lying unconscious in his room on the first floor of the same hotel surrounded by empty wine bottles. He is said to have died from a heart attack.
In a statement issued to TASS News Agency Russia's consul general Alexei Idamkin claimed that Antov "fell" from a window. "We are closely following the investigation and receiving all the information from the Odisha police," the envoy was quoted as saying.
Speculations on Social Media
A staunch critic of Putin, the Russian meat tycoon opposed the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. In June, slamming the In June, slamming the Russian missile strikes on Ukraine, Antov wrote, "A girl has been pulled out from under the rubble, the girl's father appears to have died. The mother is being pulled out with a crane — she is trapped under a slab. To tell the truth, it is extremely difficult to call this anything other than terror."
‼ï¸Another oligarch, Pavel Antov, dies in mysterious circumstances, this time in India.
— News from Ukraine (@uasupport999) December 27, 2022
He was one of the richest representatives of the Russian authorities, and once opposed the shelling of Ukrainian territory.
And no prizes for guessing how he died: yes, he fell from a window! pic.twitter.com/vTwWh8N7kd
However, fearing criticism Antov deleted the social media post, which he later claimed to be an "unfortunate misunderstanding" and a technical error.
#RussiaIsCollapsing 'Multi-millionaire Pavel Antov was celebrating his upcoming 66th birthday on holiday when he mysteriously fell from a hotel in India.'
— Ecozzzz (@Ecozzzz1) December 27, 2022
I wonder if all these will come out once putin's dethroned. he does seem awfully good at murders worldwide.
The report led to several speculations on social media regarding the manner of Antov's death. "And another Russian proving that they should not be allowed near windows. Pavel Antov (64), one of russia's richest politicians, died after falling from a window in a hotel in India," tweeted a user.
Seen disturbingly high numbers of deaths under very bizarre circumstances in the last few years.
— Harry Parker (@HarryRo37698092) December 27, 2022
2 friends stay at a hotel. Both die - separately - within days of each other. It's difficult to see this as a coincidence; much easier to think who might be culpable. #pavelantov https://t.co/f61Y0HeVOi
"Pavel Antov, and while on holiday in India, they'll get you anywhere," read a tweet.
"Another Russian oligarch 'falls out a window' to his death: Tycoon plummets from luxury hotel in India. There are so many of these cases, it's hard to keep count," expressed a user.
