Seafood main suspect in Russian whistleblower’s death

The “number-one suspect” in the death of a wealthy Russian whistleblower is seafood he ate during a romantic meal with his lover in Paris, an inquest heard.

But a “malignant” poisoner at the smart Japanese restaurant could also be to blame, it was claimed.

Alexander Perepilichnyy, 44, collapsed while out jogging near his home in Weybridge, Surrey, in November 2012.

The married father had spent the night before with his ex-model girlfriend Elmira Medynska, 28, at the Buddha Bar in Paris.

The Old Bailey has heard he sent back “bad” tempura prawn and ate either sushi or sashimi then vomited repeatedly when he got back to his hotel.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Ms Medynska said: “I think maybe he vomited because it was not good food in the restaurant.”

Coroner Nicholas Hilliard QC is examining how Mr Perepilichnyy died, whether he was poisoned and who might have had a motive for murder.

The inquest heard from a cardiologist on the effects of fish poisoning on the heart.

Dr Peter Wilmshurst said histamine or scombroid poisoning could result from eating long distance fish, such as salmon and tuna.

Dr Wilmshurst, who had suffered fish poisoning himself, said: “It’s rarely fatal. There are cases of people who have died of it.”

On the effect on the heart, he said: “It can do all sorts of things to the heart.

“It often causes the heart rate to go fast. Histamine has direct effects on the heart.”

The cardiologist said he was aware of a case of an Australian mother and daughter who died in Bali.

Dr Wilmshurst said there was a “more than 50%” chance it was poisoning, if he ate fish at the Japanese restaurant.

But he added: “The big problem is there are so many unknowns.”

Bob Moxon Browne QC, for Legal and General Assurance, suggested there were three possibilities, including “malign” intent.

Alexander Perepilichnyy