Talk:Georgi Markov

Inaccurate statement

The article says Markov was jabbed on September 7, and later on that he died three days later. However, the first line says he died on September 11. How come? PeepP 16:23, July 15, 2005 (UTC)

An editor of mine asked me to do a piece on Markov today, and I think the story as it is typically told is more unsubstantiated than people realise, probably because what information we have was released from inteligence agencies who had agendas of their own.

Is there any concrete evidence that Markov was killed with an umbrella at all? From whence does this idea originate? Is the image of a poison-tip umbrella a purely hypothetical mock-up? If so, it should say so. —Preceding unsigned comment added by RobertLewis (talk • contribs)

Is there any concrete evidence that Markov was killed with an umbrella? In a word, yes. It's not hypothetical. It happened just as described. Incidentally, the poison pellet that killed Markov is now in Scotland Yard's "Black Museum". --Nabokov 19:01, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

Georgi Markov turned around to see a man bending to pick up a dropped umbrella. According to his widow, Georgi was of the opinion the dropped umbrella was just a ruse enabling the man to hide his face (by bending to pick it up) and that the pellet could have come from anything - most likely an air pistol of some kind. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.159.83.157 (talk • contribs)

I suppose Markov could been shot by a pea-shooter or a laser death-ray - depending on how far people want to speculate or want to deny the actual facts. Alternatively people can accept the fact that Markov really was shot by a modified umbrella - of the type which were discovered in Bulgaria when the iron curtain fell and which ex-members of the KGB have admitted were suplied to Bulgaria. An example of the umbrella used to assassinate Markov is now is a museum in the USA. The news website CNN have a news article on the topic [1]. Nabokov 08:13, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

Well, rather than being dismissive, people could actually provide evidence for the umbrella assertion. There doesn't seem much listed above. The existence of multiple poison umbrellas doesn't mean that Markov was killed by one. And this seems to me a propaganda fairytale. Surely after the notoriety of the umbrella, spy agencies would want a variety of options: pens, walking sticks, cameras etc.--Jack Upland (talk) 09:50, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

Poison

The article states there were traces of ricin found in the pellet. I've just finished watching a documentary and those involved in the investigation (Scotland Yard and others) stated that they determined the toxin was ricin despite the fact that no traces of ricin were found in Markov or another dissident who was poisoned two weeks prior. Instead, they came to the conclusion based on circumstantial evidence (ricin was one of a few toxins known to be effective at such a low dose, and by examining a pig's organs after being killed with a similar dose, allowing them to compare the pig's symptoms and organs to Markov's). The whole process they undertook to determine it was ricin is quite fascinating and I believe should be included. At the very least the info stating that traces of ricin were found in the pellet should be redacted. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.134.42.63 (talk • contribs) awwww its so sad he died poor guy

Merge proposal

There has been a formal request to merge this article with Umbrella Murder. For comments please see the article's talk page. MadMax 01:47, 17 February 2007 (UTC) They did not detect RICIN but the anti-body directed to RICIN, which is highly specific for detecting RICIN 84.158.47.64 (talk) 20:44, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

In absentia reports

The importance of "In Absentia Reports" is undermined in the article. It's generally considered the most important and concise documentary of the Communistic Era in Bulgaria (1944-1989). —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 132.177.89.140 (talk) 18:44, 13 April 2007 (UTC).

I agree, this is extremely important, rather than the silly umbrella gun stuff. It was widely disseminated underground in Bulgaria and was very influential. 87.121.162.189 (talk) 12:56, 26 July 2011 (UTC)

Alternative theory

http://cryptome.org/markov-file.htm

Weird Section

The section: ] KGB ricin attack was the only documented assasination attempt on U.S. soil, is of poor quality and not well though out. Should it be removed? Compoundinterestisboring (talk) 08:56, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

I've killed it, feel free to do it up and put it back in, I suppose. Compoundinterestisboring (talk) 13:30, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Spoilers

In the "In popular culture" section there are a couple of spoilers (e.g. for Tom Clancy's Red Rabbit a major plot point is revealed). Should a spoiler warning be added? Belperite (talk) 21:43, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

I've removed the part which seems to contain most of the spoilers for me. The rest is the relevant part in my opinion. Compoundinterestisboring (talk) 07:20, 18 January 2010 (UTC)

Statute of Limitations in Bulgaria

I have removed the following from the article:

The story goes on to note that the Bulgarian statute of limitations ended in 2008.

1. The story doesn't mention the statute of limitations and was written before 2008. 2. Statutes of limitations cover minor crimes, not murder. 3. While Bulgaria could have jurisdiction over the planning of the murder, you would expect the trial to be held in Britain where the act was actually committed.--Jack Upland (talk) 09:56, 21 April 2011 (UTC)

Georgi Markov item - wrong slant

Hi. It seems to me that the wrong slant is given to Markov - with the emphasis on how he was killed rather than what he stood for and what he did as a Bulgarian dissident. When I ask my Bulgarian high-school students if they know of Markov, the very few who do relate his name to the 'umbrella murder' and not to his courageous voice against the communist regime. I'm happy to give detailed examples of my point of view but first, invite a reaction. Frankxq (talk) 17:01, 30 November 2011 (UTC)

Bibliography

Relatedly, I think the article would benefit from a bibliography and overview of his oeuvre. Valkotukka (talk) 20:18, 14 March 2017 (UTC)

Ricin as a poison

The article currently states:

"Regardless of whether the doctors treating Markov had known that the poison was ricin, the result would have been the same, as there is no known antidote to ricin."

This conflicts with the Wikipedia article on Ricin itself:

"Rauber and Heard have written that close examination of early 20th century case reports indicates that public and professional perceptions of ricin toxicity "do not accurately reflect the capabilities of modern medical management."" — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.45.198.134 (talk) 21:12, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

Bad Diagram

Suggesting deletion of the image "A diagram of a possible umbrella gun."

It is unclear and makes little sense as to firing mechanism of the umbrella gun.

A completely redrawn labelled diagram should be made - ideally featuring a black and white line sketch with component hatching of the umbrella's cross section — Preceding unsigned comment added by 176.26.48.253 (talk) 17:08, 28 November 2013 (UTC)

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A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion:

• Georgi Markov Monument, Паметник на Георги Марков.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 19:36, 29 August 2018 (UTC)

New documentary

There's a new documentary, produced by Danish TV, about the Georgi Markov murder case. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/17/poison-umbrella-documentary-sheds-new-light-infamous-spy-killing-cold-war 173.88.246.138 (talk) 04:09, 18 March 2023 (UTC)