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The silent death of an anti-Putin pianist

Pavel Kushnir was a classical pianist. But according to Russian authorities, he was also a dangerous dissident.

Pavel Kushnir was a classical pianist. But according to Russian authorities, he was also a dangerous dissident. In July 2024, he died on hunger strike in a remote prison in Far East Russia. Who was Pavel Kushnir, and why did he end up in jail? Liza Fokht from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Russian has been trying to piece together Pavel Kushnir’s story. Plus, Janhavee Moole from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ India explains why in recent years the tradition of submerging statues of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu divinity, in river and creeks has become controversial.

Produced by Alice Gioia, Caroline Ferguson and Hannah Dean.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

27 minutes

On radio

Tomorrow 04:32GMT
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service West and Central Africa

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