Russian experts rule out Arafat radiation poisoning
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian experts rule out Arafat radiation poisoning, 26 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65a4b5.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 26, 2013
Yasser Arafat
Russian forensic experts studying the remains of Yasser Arafat say the Palestinian leader died a natural death, ruling out radiation poisoning.
Arafat's exhumed remains have been studied by Swiss, French, and Russian experts.
Vladimir Uiba, the chief of Russia's Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), said on December 26 that after completing all studies, Russian scientists concluded that Arafat "died a natural death and not from radiation."
The French have also ruled out poisoning.
A Swiss forensic team last month said polonium poisoning was a possible cause of Arafat's 2004 death in Paris at age 75, but that absolute proof was not available.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador to Moscow, Faed Mustafa, on December 26 said the Russian findings would not halt efforts to investigate the cause of Arafat's death.
Israel has rejected allegations it assassinated Arafat.
Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
