TALES OF THE COLD WAR: The Assassination of Georgi Markov

Intriguing stories often captivate our imaginations, and the assassination of Georgi Markov is no exception. Markov, a Bulgarian dissident and writer, met a sinister end on an ordinary day in London when a seemingly innocuous umbrella concealed a deadly secret: a tiny pellet filled with lethal ricin toxin.

This chilling incident unfolded in 1978, during the height of the Cold War, shedding light on the extreme measures totalitarian regimes were willing to take to silence their critics, even on foreign soil.

In this post, we will delve into the life of Georgi Markov, the events leading up to his tragic assassination, and the ensuing investigations.

Georgi Markov

LIFE IN BULGARIA

He was born on March 1, 1929, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Georgi Ivanov Markov was a renowned writer and a figure frequently embroiled in controversy. 

At the age of 19, while battling tuberculosis, he embarked on his writing career. He pursued higher education in industrial chemistry and later worked as a chemical engineer and a teacher at a technical school. At 28 yeas old, Markov gained recognition with his novel "A Night of Caesium" in 1957, followed by "The Ajax Winners" in 1959. In 1961, he published two collections of short stories and, in 1962, the novel "Men," which earned him the Union of Bulgarian Writers' annual award, leading to his membership.

Markov transitioned to a career in the publishing industry, working at Narodna Mladezh Publishing House. During the late 1960s, he solidified his status as one of Bulgaria's most promising young writers with the publication of "A Portrait of My Double" in 1966 and "The Women of Warsaw" in 1968. He also authored plays, albeit restricted by Communist censorship, and co-authored the popular TV series "Every Kilometer" (or "At Every Milestone"), introducing the characters of Second World War detective Velinsky and the Resistance fighter Deyanov.

Despite the controversy surrounding some of his works and his unconventional bohemian lifestyle, Markov gained considerable success as an author. His outspoken criticism of Bulgaria's repressive regime made him a prominent figure in the anti-communist movement, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom of expression.

DEFECTION TO LONDON

In 1969, Markov visited his brother in Bologna, Italy, hoping to keep a low profile while awaiting improvements in his image in Bulgaria. However, his plans changed when the Bulgarian government refused to extend his passport in September 1971. Markov subsequently relocated to London, seeking asylum. In 1972, he began working as a translator for the Bulgarian section of the BBC World Service and attempted to enter the film industry, though without success. Markov also collaborated with Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe.

In 1972, the Bulgarian government targeted Markov as a dissident, expelling him from the Union of Bulgarian Writers and sentencing him in absentia to six years and six months in prison for his defection. All of his works were removed from libraries and bookstores, and he was absent from official Bulgarian media until 1989. Simultaneously, the Bulgarian Secret Service initiated a file on him, code-named "Wanderer."

In 1975, Markov married Annabel Dilke, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Alexandra-Raina, a year later.

Georgi Markov with his family. 

THE FATEFUL DAY

On September 7, 1978, Georgi Markov's life took an unexpected and fateful turn in London.

While waiting for a bus on Waterloo Bridge, he felt a sharp, insect-like sting on the back of his right thigh. To his surprise, he noticed an unidentified man picking up an umbrella from the ground nearby, who promptly hailed a taxi and disappeared.

Upon arriving at work at the BBC, Markov shared the strange incident with his colleague, Mr. Teo Lirkoff. However, the day took a more sinister turn when he developed a fever that evening. Seeking medical attention at St James' Hospital in Balham, Markov's condition worsened. Tragically, he succumbed to the mysterious ailment four days later, on September 11, 1978, at the age of 49. This day marked a significant turning point in history, as it was revealed that Markov had been the victim of a deliberate poisoning, which would have far-reaching consequences.

The bus stop where Georgi Markov felt a sting in his leg

WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF DEATH?

Doctors treating Markov grappled with the enigmatic nature of his illness, considering various theories, including bacterial infection and snakebite due to his symptoms. Dr. Bernard Riley, the attending physician, even conducted an initial X-ray of the patient's leg but found nothing remarkable.

The circumstances of Markov's death, along with incriminating statements he had made regarding poisoning, prompted the Metropolitan Police to order an extensive autopsy. Rufus Crompton performed the autopsy, obtaining tissue samples from the red mark on Markov's leg and its counterpart for comparison. These samples were sent to the renowned chemical and biological weapons laboratory, Porton Down.

At Porton Down, Research Medical Officer David Gall made a crucial discovery: a minute pellet within the tissue sample, measuring 1.70 millimeters (0.067 in) in diameter and composed of 90% platinum and 10% iridium. It featured two holes with diameters of 0.35 mm (0.014 in), forming an X-shaped cavity. Intriguingly, no trace of poison was detected upon further examination by Porton Down experts.

Scientists at Porton Down assessed the cavity's capacity for fluid and considered possible poisons. Given the pellet's small size, only a handful of poisons were deemed capable of causing death in a man of Markov's size with such a small dose. Based on the symptoms and poison quantity, ricin emerged as a likely candidate. To substantiate this theory, scientists injected a similar ricin dose into a pig of Markov's size, which fell ill and died a few days later. Autopsy results revealed similar organ damage to that found in Markov.

Porton Down scientists also suspected the use of a gelatin-like substance to seal the pellet's tiny holes, creating a bubble that trapped the poison. This gelatin was designed to dissolve at the human body's temperature of 37°C, allowing the poison to be gradually released into the bloodstream, leading to the victim's demise.

The murder weapon was suspected to be a specially designed umbrella gun.

THE LETHAL UMBRELLA

The umbrella employed in the assassination was far from ordinary, ingeniously modified into a covert weapon. Hidden within its tip was a tiny hollow pellet filled with ricin, a highly toxic toxin derived from castor beans, known for its deadly potency even in minuscule quantities.

Ricin poisoning leads to rapid and agonizing consequences, with no known antidote. Markov's health rapidly deteriorated, leaving doctors helpless. The lethal umbrella had effectively fulfilled its sinister purpose.

A replica of the type of umbrella gun used on Markov's leg to impale the pellet, at the International Spy Museum

SUSPICIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Georgi Markov's death initially raised suspicions of involvement by the Bulgarian secret service, also known as the State Security Committee, in collaboration with the Soviet KGB. The precision and sophistication of the assassination hinted at a high-level conspiracy. British intelligence agencies, especially MI5, promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Identifying the assassin and the masterminds behind the plot posed a formidable challenge due to their covert operations, shrouding the truth in secrecy.

Francesco Gullino emerged as the primary suspect in the case, operating under the codename Agent Piccadilly. Allegedly, Gullino left Britain the day after the attack on September 8th, 1978, and journeyed to Rome. Here, he reportedly signaled the completion of the mission to his Bulgarian handler by standing at a designated spot in St. Peter's Square. Unfortunately, all documentation pertaining to Markov's case had been destroyed in Bulgaria, preventing any direct ties to his assassination.

In a surprising turn of events, it was discovered in 2006, during the production of the documentary "The Umbrella Assassin," that Gullino was alive and in good health, continuing to travel extensively throughout Europe. His eventual passing occurred in Austria in 2021.

As the investigation unfolded, it became increasingly evident that Markov's assassination was not an isolated incident. Reports of similar cases involving the suspicious deaths of political dissidents deepened suspicions of a broader campaign aimed at eliminating opposition figures. The pursuit of justice extended beyond Markov's murder, aiming to expose a network of Cold War-era espionage and political intrigue.

Francesco Gullino continually denied involvement Markov's death

CONCLUSION

In the realm of Cold War espionage, Georgi Markov's assassination shed light on a sinister collaboration between the Bulgarian secret service and the Soviet KGB. British intelligence agencies tirelessly pursued the truth behind this high-level conspiracy.

As the investigation unfolded, it revealed a broader campaign to eliminate dissenting voices. Markov's death became emblematic of the struggle for freedom of expression and the need to unveil the hidden forces at play during the Cold War.

His story serves as a stark reminder of the enduring quest for truth and justice in the face of secrecy and oppression. In commemorating his life, we honor the unwavering determination to challenge authority and expose the hidden realities that shape our world.

Resources: 

• Element 18: Cold War Mystery – The Umbrella Assassin
• The Guardian: The poison-tipped umbrella: the death of Georgi Markov in 1978 - archive
• ABC News: How writer Georgi Markov was assassinated with a poison-laced umbrella
• Eurozine: The lives and deaths of Georgi Markov
• M. Papaloucas, C. Papaloucas and A. Stergioulas, 2008. Ricin and the Assassination of Georgi Markov. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11: 2370-2371.