Another oligarch dies mysteriously in Russia

Russian energy oligarch Igor Shkurko was found dead in a Siberian prison cell on April 4 after he was accused of taking a bribe.

Shkurko, 49, was the deputy general director of the energy company Yakutskenergo. He had reportedly submitted appeals against the bribery allegation the day before being found dead in his cell, Daily Beast reports.

Shkurko, who was a member of the pro-Putin United Russia party, is now one of many unexplained deaths that have occurred since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Experts estimate that at least 39 high-profile figures have died mysteriously since the start of the war. Russian authorities released no details surrounding Shkurko’s death, but said they saw no evidence of a “criminal death.” Shkurko was accused of demanding a bribe worth approximately $6,200. He was married with two sons.