Drunken Napoleon Expert admits murder after woman's arms found in bag

[Mike 03]

"May have been under stress"

BBC: Actual headline: Russia professor admits murder after woman's arms found in bag

A well-known Russian historian has confessed to murdering his lover - a former student - his lawyer says, after he was found in a river with a backpack containing a woman's arms.

Oleg Sokolov, 63, was drunk and fell into the river as he tried to dispose of body parts, local media said.

Police then found the decapitated body of Anastasia Yeshchenko, 24, at his home.

Prof Sokolov is a Napoleon expert who has received France's Légion d'Honneur.

"He has admitted his guilt," his lawyer Alexander Pochuyev told AFP, adding that he regretted what he had done and was now cooperating.

Prof Sokolov reportedly told police that he killed his lover during an argument and then sawed off her head, arms and legs.

He is said to have planned to get rid of the body before publicly committing suicide dressed as Napoleon.

Mr Pochuyev said Prof Sokolov - who has been receiving hospital treatment for hypothermia - may have been under stress.

The historian has written several books on Napoleon and also acted as a historical consultant on several films. He and Ms Yeshchenko had co-authored several works.

Both he and Ms Yeshchenko studied French history and enjoyed wearing period costumes, with Prof Sokolov dressing up as Napoleon.

More at link, including photo of professor dressed as Napoleon: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50365124

[LuvNewcastle]

1. For shame.

Napoleon wouldn't have killed and dismembered Josephine.

[Aristus]

2. This is the most Russian thing I've ever read...