A US-based Russian businessman has slapped a huge £750k bounty on the head of Vladimir Putin. Alex Konanykhin issued the decree on Facebook before clarifying he his offer was not to assassinate President Putin but to, essentially, perform a citizen's arrest on him.
The entrepreneur and former banker's initial Facebook post was removed by the social media company, as it included a fake wanted poster with the phrase 'Dead or Alive' on it, reports the Star.
He wrote: “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws. Putin is not the Russian president as he came to power as the result of a special operation of blowing up apartment buildings in Russia, then violated the Constitution by eliminating free elections and murdering his opponents.
“As an ethnic Russian and a Russia citizen, I see it as my moral duty to facilitate the denazification of Russia. I will continue my assistance to Ukraine in its heroic efforts to withstand the onslaught of Putin's Orda.”
Speaking to Business Insider, Mr Konanykhin said that the money will come directly from his own funds – as he was once worth around £300million – and he is hoping others follow suit.
He added: “If enough other people make similar statements, it may increase the chances of Putin getting arrested and brought to justice, Putin is known to murder his opponents. He has millions of them now.”
“Some reports suggest that I promised to pay for the assassination of Putin, “he continued. "It is not correct. While such an outcome would be cheered by millions of people around the world, I believe that Putin must be brought to justice.”
It comes after an expert warned Russian oligarchs are growing "tired" of Putin and may turn on him like Julius Caesar. Defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke said those close to the president are turning away from him and could "end him" after facing humiliation. Prof Clarke warned that one of his loyal allies could end up "stabbing him in the back".
