"He's forced to say increasingly inappropriate things." Journalist Andrei Zatirko commented on the death threat made by State Duma deputy Andrei Gurulev.
Deputy from Andrey Gurulev of the Trans-Baikal Territory threatened the former editor-in-chief of Chita.ru, an investigator To Andrey Zatirko and other independent journalists about the fate of the Russian pilot shot in Spain Maxim Kuzminov.
"I've already gotten used to his odious statements directed at me, just as everyone else has gotten used to his style of speaking. He only attracts attention through his radical statements. And since people get used to them, he's forced to say increasingly inappropriate things with each new turn. I don't think there's a real threat behind his words.", Andrei Zatirko told NeMoskva.
Gurulev, known for his radical statements, made provocative statement during a conversation with Vladimir Kantemir, editor-in-chief of the Chita publication Vechorka.
During the conversation, Kantemir noted that "the war, like a litmus test, exposed all the traitors." He cited the example of Andrei Zatirko, who left Russia and now works for the publication "Agentstvo."
"But when the war ends with our victory, something will have to be done about Zatirka and the so-called 'zatirkas.' Shoot them or forgive them?" — asked Kantemir.
Gurulev responded that there is a moratorium on the death penalty in Russia, but added:
"There are moments, especially ones like betrayal and terrorism, for which perhaps... well, I want to remind you of the fate of that helicopter pilot who hijacked a helicopter and killed his comrades. I think he should repeat it.", the deputy said.
The deputy was referring to Russian Armed Forces officer Maxim Kuzminov, who ferried a Russian military helicopter to Ukraine in August 2023 and was killed in Spain in February 2024 after threatening to be "liquidated" by Russian intelligence agencies on Russia 1.
Gurulev previously called Andrei Zatirko a traitor and called for his citizenship to be revoked. During Gurulev's tenure as Deputy Prime Minister of the Zabaikalsky Krai, Zatirko published articles about corruption and problems in the region in the publication Chita.ru.