Ricin as an Assassination Weapon

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Ricin is a chemical substance that was used in killing targeted individuals during the Cold War. The chemical was first developed in the United States and United Kingdom, but it was widely used in other countries like Bulgaria. The substance can kill individuals exposed to it through ingestion, inhalation and injections. Among the victims of ricin assassination includes Georgi Markov who was one of the rebels of the former communist regime. Ricin was also used as a weapon that targeted government officials. Several letters containing ricin were addressed to government officials in an attempt to kill them through ricin inhalation. Ricin kills those exposed to it by damaging their internal organs. Its elements kill cells by hindering various functions such as proper protein formation.

Ricin as an Assassination Weapon

Ricin assassination was a notorious strategy used in killing people during the Cold War. It is a poisonous substance which contains two elements. The two toxic elements act by killing body cells. When introduced into the human body, the first element enters the body cells. It creates a passage for the second toxic element which affects cells by hindering them from producing proteins. The inhibition of proteins causes the death of cells. Unlike other poisons, ricin reacts very slowly. People die several days after being exposed to the substance. Georgi Markov was one of the rebels in Bulgaria during the Cold War, and he became of victim of ricin poisoning.

History of Ricin Assassination

Since the year 1918, some people have used ricin as a weapon. The development of ricin to form weapons first occurred in the United States and United Kingdom. However, the weapon was never used in these countries until recent yea...

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