A Russian chess player who allegedly poisoned a rival player with liquid mercury from a broken thermometer during a major tournament earlier this month could face jail time and criminal charges.
It is reported chess.netChess coach Amina Abakarova, 40, is accused of poisoning 30-year-old player Umayganat Osmanova on August 2 during a chess tournament in Dagestan. Minutes later, Osmanova informed officials that she was not feeling well, complaining of nausea and dizziness. Doctors were called and they concluded that she had probably been poisoned. Officials reviewed security footage and found that Abakalova allegedly poisoned Osmanova’s chessboard.
in videos posted onlineyou can see Abakalova enter an area filled with chessboards and empty chairs. Before the match began, the chess pro walked to where Osmanova was scheduled to play and smeared liquid mercury (allegedly from a broken thermometer) onto the table and chessboard. Before the incident, she reportedly asked officials if there were security cameras in the area but was told there were not.
Police arrested Abakalova after being notified by tournament officials and reviewing the footage.
“I still felt bad. For the first few minutes I felt out of air and had a taste of iron in my mouth. I had to spend about five hours on this board. I don’t know if I hadn’t seen it sooner. what happens. Russia Today.
Two other people were reported to have suffered similar symptoms due to mercury.
chess.net Abakalova reportedly admitted that she wanted to “knock her opponent out of the competition.” A week before her poisoning, Osmanova won another chess match, defeating Abakalova. Osmanova allegedly did not want to hurt her opponent, but just wanted to scare her, according to police report.
Abakalova is currently in police custody and faces up to three years in prison. The Russian Chess Federation has temporarily banned the professional player from future chess competitions while it investigates the situation. According to reports, she could be banned for life.
Dagestan’s Sports Minister said: “Like many others, I am confused by what happened and the motivations of an experienced player like Amina Abakalova are incomprehensible.”
Osmanova recovered from the poisoning and continued to compete, eventually finishing second.
.
