RantCrush Top 5: March 23, 2017

A former member of the Russian parliament who exposed details about the inner workings of President Vladimir Putin’s government has been shot dead in Kiev. Denis Voronenkov fled Russia with his wife Maria Maksakova, also a member of parliament, last October and renounced his Russian citizenship completely. They chose to settle in Ukraine so that they could cooperate with the Ukrainian government on its anti-Russian stances. “Americans should realize that Putin and his guys are convinced that he spins the planet with his feet,” Voronenkov told The Daily Beast last month.

A few days before Voronenkov’s murder, Russian lawyer Nikolai Gorokhov, who was due in court yesterday to represent another whistleblower who died in prison in 2009, fell out the window of his Moscow apartment under suspicious circumstances. He survived but remains in critical condition. No connection is currently confirmed, but the two incidents are concerning.

This happened:

1. Lawyer for Russian whistleblower’s family falls out 4th floor window.

2. Outspoken critic of Russian leaders shot dead. pic.twitter.com/gUIQ6o9f9F

— Rosa Hwang (@journorosa) March 23, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.