A former Russian lawmaker and fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin who fled to Ukraine was shot dead outside a luxury hotel in Kiev on Thursday in what the Ukraine president described as a Kremlin-orchestrated act of state terrorism. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, who called the killing an act of Russian “state terrorism,” met with Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. Russian officials denied involvement in the slaying and accused Ukraine of being responsible for Voronenkov’s death to “provoke” the Kremlin. After Yanukovych left Ukraine, Voronenkov repeatedly lambasted the country’s new, pro-Western authorities. Since fleeing Russia, Voronenkov had complained to journalists and Ukrainian authorities about threats to his and his family’s safety.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 23, 2017 12:24 UTC