Anti-War Russian Chief Living in England Found Dead in Hotel in Serbia

Last Update:14 November 2024 14:54 IST

According to the ZIMA Instagram post, Zimin founded the ZIMA restaurant in London, has been a senior contributor to numerous magazines, and has served as the co-author of several books.

Zimin co-founded ZIMA restaurant in London (X)

A prominent Russian chef who was highly critical of Moscow’s war in Ukraine was found dead on Wednesday during a visit to the Serbian capital, according to several sources.

The death of Alexei Zimin, who had lived in London for years, was the latest death of a Russian expatriate who criticized the Kremlin’s war.

According to the ZIMA Instagram post, Zimin founded the ZIMA restaurant in London, has been a senior contributor to numerous magazines, and has served as the co-author of several books.

His body was found late Tuesday in an apartment he rented in Belgrade during a visit to promote his latest book, “Anglomania”, a source close to the investigation told AFP.

Prosecutors told the BBC the flat was locked from the inside and the death did not appear suspicious, but an autopsy would be carried out.

Born in Russia in 1971, Zimin opened many restaurants before leaving Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in 2014.

He broadcast anti-war messages after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and suspended his Saturday cooking show on a pro-Kremlin television channel.

“During his extraordinary life, Alexei achieved a lot; he served as deputy editor-in-chief of Afisha magazine, founded Afisha.Food, as well as editor-in-chief of London restaurant Afisha World, GQ and Gourmet.” ZIMA said in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“He hosted several culinary shows, wrote numerous books, and opened several successful restaurants,” he said.

“For us, Alexei was not just a colleague but also a friend, a close friend with whom we shared many good, kind and sometimes sad experiences.”

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP)

Location :

London, United Kingdom (England)