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Georgi Markov’s Umbrella Assassination
In this episode, we unravel the chilling tale of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, whose life was cut short in one of the most bizarre assassination plots of the Cold War era. Known as "The Umbrella Murder," this story takes us through Markov’s final days, the mysterious puncture on his leg, and how a seemingly ordinary object became a deadly weapon. We’ll explore the science behind ricin, the potent poison found in his body, and break down how this deadly toxin affects the human body, targeting vital organs with frightening efficiency. Join us as we dive into this dark chapter of espionage, uncovering how a single raindrop-sized dose can turn an everyday item into a weapon of mass destruction.
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics related to assassination, poisoning, and the effects of lethal toxins on the human body.
Resources:
Crampton, R. J. (2005). A concise history of Bulgaria. Cambridge University Press.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/concise-history-of-bulgaria/E5AC0A4C1CB30368CE2AA22AC7C7EB8E
Hristov, H. (2013). Kill the wanderer: The assassination of Georgi Markov and the KGB. Ciela.
https://www.ceeol.com/search/book-detail?id=412321
Kalugin, O. (2009). Spymaster: My thirty-two years in intelligence and espionage against the West. Basic Books.
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oleg-kalugin/spymaster/9780786743667/?lens=basic-books
Markov, G. (1984). The truth that killed. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
https://www.amazon.com/truth-that-killed-Georgi-Markov/dp/0297783009
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2024). Ricin poisoning.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/ricin-poisoning.page
Schep, L. J., Temple, W. A., Butt, G. A., & Beasley, M. D. (2009). Ricin as a weapon of mass terror—Separating fact from fiction. Environment International, 35(8), 1267-1271.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19767104/
The View East. (2011, September 9). The curious case of the poisoned umbrella: The murder of Georgi Markov.
https://thevieweast.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/the-curious-case-of-the-poisoned-umbrella-the-murder-of-georgi-markov/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/come-play-with-me
License code: XP1MFJPAZGMFOHUZ
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/future-forests/the-fallout
License code: LOIM7JXCAWUQM7GQ
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/weary-pines/home
License code: GYPALDJP94XAUGZ2
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By ileanananetteIn this episode, we unravel the chilling tale of Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, whose life was cut short in one of the most bizarre assassination plots of the Cold War era. Known as "The Umbrella Murder," this story takes us through Markov’s final days, the mysterious puncture on his leg, and how a seemingly ordinary object became a deadly weapon. We’ll explore the science behind ricin, the potent poison found in his body, and break down how this deadly toxin affects the human body, targeting vital organs with frightening efficiency. Join us as we dive into this dark chapter of espionage, uncovering how a single raindrop-sized dose can turn an everyday item into a weapon of mass destruction.
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses topics related to assassination, poisoning, and the effects of lethal toxins on the human body.
Resources:
Crampton, R. J. (2005). A concise history of Bulgaria. Cambridge University Press.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/concise-history-of-bulgaria/E5AC0A4C1CB30368CE2AA22AC7C7EB8E
Hristov, H. (2013). Kill the wanderer: The assassination of Georgi Markov and the KGB. Ciela.
https://www.ceeol.com/search/book-detail?id=412321
Kalugin, O. (2009). Spymaster: My thirty-two years in intelligence and espionage against the West. Basic Books.
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/oleg-kalugin/spymaster/9780786743667/?lens=basic-books
Markov, G. (1984). The truth that killed. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
https://www.amazon.com/truth-that-killed-Georgi-Markov/dp/0297783009
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2024). Ricin poisoning.
https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/ricin-poisoning.page
Schep, L. J., Temple, W. A., Butt, G. A., & Beasley, M. D. (2009). Ricin as a weapon of mass terror—Separating fact from fiction. Environment International, 35(8), 1267-1271.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19767104/
The View East. (2011, September 9). The curious case of the poisoned umbrella: The murder of Georgi Markov.
https://thevieweast.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/the-curious-case-of-the-poisoned-umbrella-the-murder-of-georgi-markov/
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/come-play-with-me
License code: XP1MFJPAZGMFOHUZ
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/future-forests/the-fallout
License code: LOIM7JXCAWUQM7GQ
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/weary-pines/home
License code: GYPALDJP94XAUGZ2