A Russian chess champion has been accused of trying to poison his opponent during a recent tournament, a brazen act that was allegedly caught on video.
Amina Abakarova, 40, faces a lifetime ban and possible criminal prosecution. NBC News Reported.
“Her actions may have had the saddest consequences.”
The incident occurred last Friday at the tournament venue for the Dagestan Chess Championship in Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian republic of Dagestan.
Security Video Abacalova is reportedly seen entering the room carrying a bag about 20 minutes before the start of the tournament, and a 34-second portion of the security footage appears to show Abacalova sprinkling the substance onto one of the chess boards.
Minister of Sports of the Republic of Dagestan Sajid Sajidov said: statement According to NBC News, Abacalova posted on the messaging app Telegram on Wednesday claiming that the former champion had released a substance that was later found to contain mercury.
The Russian Chess Federation statement On Wednesday, police described the situation as “an attempt to poison participants at the Dagestan Republic Championship in Makhachkala.”
The target of the poisoning attempt was Abakarova’s rival, 30-year-old Umaiganat Osmanova.
About 30 minutes into the tournament, Osmanova reportedly experienced nausea and dizziness and required medical attention.
“I still feel sick. During the first minutes I felt suffocated and had a metal taste in my mouth. I had to spend about five hours on the board. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t woken up earlier,” Osmanova said. said Russia Today.
Osmanova featured in Russian newspaper Izvestia She said she noticed “several little balls” rolling out from underneath her chessboard and, although she didn’t know what they were at first, she quickly realised they might be mercury, after which she notified chess officials.
Chess.com Osmanova reportedly recovered from the suspected poisoning attempt and placed second in the tournament, while Abacalova was reportedly ejected after the fourth round.
Russian Outlets RTVI Abacalova was reported as saying she wanted to remove her opponent from the tournament, but the police report claimed she had only intended to scare her opponent and not actually harm him.
According to New York PostAbakarova later admitted to the poisoning, reportedly confessing to police that she had broken the thermometer and smeared mercury on the chess board.
Police have detained Abacalova and she faces up to three years in prison. mirror.
Russian Chess Federation president Andrey Filatov said the federation had temporarily banned Abakarova from all competitions until a law enforcement investigation was completed.
ABC News “I am confused by what happened and cannot understand the motives behind such an experienced athlete as Amina Abakarova,” Sajidov was quoted as saying.
“Her actions could have had the saddest consequences, endangering her own life and the lives of everyone present at the Chess House,” Sajidov added. “She must now face justice and take responsibility for her actions.”
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