Poisoned Champagne Kills 10 in Tajikistan
- Share via
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Champagne, probably spiked with cyanide, has killed up to 10 New Year’s revelers in the former Soviet Central Asian republic of Tajikistan, Itar-Tass news agency said Monday.
Reports from the region quoted military sources in Dushanbe as saying the dead included six Russian servicemen, the wife of a Russian Embassy employee and three local residents.
The alcohol had been on sale next to military compounds housing some of the 25,000-strong Russian-led peacekeeping force propping up the government against rebels across the border in Afghanistan, the news agency said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
