The mysterious assassination of Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Ivanov Markov, known as the “Umbrella Murder,” remains an unsolved Cold War-era case that continues to intrigue historians. Markov, a prominent author critical of the Bulgarian communist regime, was fatally struck by a poisoned pellet from an umbrella while waiting for his bus on London’s Waterloo Bridge in 1978.
Markov, who defected from Bulgaria to the UK in 1969, was a broadcaster and journalist for the BBC. His provocative writings against the Bulgarian government drew attention and controversy. The lethal poison used in his assassination is believed to be ricin, a deadly substance also associated with another individual’s failed production attempt.
Following the umbrella attack, Markov felt a sharp pain in his thigh and later succumbed to septicemia, leading to his tragic death four days later. Despite extensive investigations, the case has remained a mystery, with no conclusive evidence pointing to the killer.
In 2005, leaked files from the Bulgarian Secret Service implicated Francesco Giullino as the primary suspect behind Markov’s murder, allegedly acting on behalf of the Bulgarian security agency. Despite being questioned and denying involvement, Giullino received state medals for his alleged espionage activities.
A recent documentary shed light on the interrogation of Giullino by Scotland Yard detectives but failed to conclusively prove his guilt. In a surprising turn of events, Giullino passed away in 2021 before the documentary’s release, maintaining his innocence till the end.
The closure of the investigation by Bulgarian authorities in 2013 due to the statute of limitations expiring marked a disappointing end to the quest for justice in Markov’s case. The killer’s identity remains unknown, leaving this historical enigma unresolved.