The Guardian reports: A Russian whistleblower could have been poisoned with sorrel soup, but key evidence about his last meal was “flushed away” hours after his death, a court heard. Alexander Perepilichnyy, 44, died after collapsing while running near his home in Weybridge, Surrey, in November 2012.

The businessman’s death was originally attributed to natural causes, but traces of a chemical that can be found in the poisonous plant gelsemium were later found in his stomach. Fiona Barton QC, for Surrey police, said no “identifiable toxin” had been found in the body.

A pre-inquest hearing on Monday heard that, before his death, Perepilichnyy was helping a specialist investment firm uncover a $230m Russian money-laundering operation. Hermitage Capital Management previously claimed that Perepilichnyy could have been deliberately killed for helping it uncover the scam involving Russian officials. [Continue reading…]