Did Berezovsky have this editor of Forbes magazine murdered?
In the wake of Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky's death, the most chilling headline was one in Forbes magazine that suggested Berezovsky may have masterminded the murder of one of their editors.
Paul Klebnikov: murdered in a Moscow street
Paul Klebnikov was shot nine times from a semiautomatic pistol as he walked out of his Moscow office in July 2004.
"He survived a ride in an ambulance that wasn’t equipped with functioning oxygen equipment, but apparently died in a “stuck” elevator at a Moscow hospital," Forbes reports.
Following his death, Berezovsky publicly called Klebnikov, the 41-year-old editor of Forbes-Russia, “a dishonest reporter.”
Forbes writer Richard Behar says, "While it’s not nice to speak ill of the dead so soon after they expire, I think the 67-year-old oligarch has earned an exception here."
Klebnikov was , said Behar the only investigative reporter who exposed Berezovsky for what he truly was: a corrupt, dangerous thug, a chronic (court-certified) liar, and – as Paul himself wrote in Forbes magazine — the “Godfather of the Kremlin.”
Behar wrote, "Boris has long been one of the main suspects for masterminding the contract-killing of my old friend and colleague.
"Berezovsky’s sudden death may unlock long-kept secrets that could prove his guilt, or vindicate his claims that he had nothing to do with it."
Behar said that was his hope, for the sake not only of the Klebnikov family, but also for Berezovsky’s descendants.
"For nearly nine years, the Klebnikovs have worked tirelessly for justice — meeting with Russian officials, prosecutors, lawyers, anyone who might have a shred of information to share about the case."