Journalist critical of Putin found dead by Rachael Pells

Alexander Shchetinin found dead with a gun near his body after friends tried to visit him at home.

A well-known Russian journalist and critic of President Vladimir Putin has been found dead in his Kiev apartment with a gunshot wound to the head.

The body of Alexander Shchetinin, founder the Novy Region (New Region) press agency, was found at his flat after friends tried to visit him on his birthday.

Mr Shchetinin gave up his Russian citizenship before becoming a Ukrainian national and settling in the capital.

He set up the Novy Region news agency, which has since been split into different companies, and reportedly called the Russian president a “personal enemy”.

Ukrainian police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Shchetinin’s death.