Production designer of “Liquidation” dies in Moscow hospital after treason arrest

Alexander Kondratov, the production designer of the Russian television series “Liquidation” (Likvidatsiya), has died in a Moscow hospital after being arrested on treason charges. The news was reported on 26 October by the independent outlets Meduza and The Moscow Times, and by the state agency RIA Novosti. For viewers of one of the country’s best-known TV dramas, it means the death of a person who shaped how that series looks.

Meduza, citing the human rights group Department One, says Kondratov died at Botkin Hospital in Moscow. The Moscow Times also reports that he died at a Moscow hospital after his arrest on treason charges. RIA Novosti, in a headline, describes him as the production designer of “Liquidation” who was arrested in a treason case and has died.

According to The Moscow Times, Kondratov was best known for his work as art and production designer on “Liquidation”, a 2007 detective drama set after the Second World War. The outlet’s headline also calls him an award-winning production designer. The items available to Sverka do not say which awards he received or what else he worked on.

The sources say nothing about how the series was received or about Kondratov’s other work. Nor do they describe his working methods or any statements he made. The only characterisation of his career comes from The Moscow Times, which names “Liquidation” as the work he is best known for.

The accounts agree on the main points: Kondratov was arrested on treason charges and has since died. They differ in how they source the news. Meduza attributes it to Department One, while the excerpts available from The Moscow Times and RIA Novosti do not name a source for the death.

The items do not say when Kondratov was arrested, what he is accused of, or which court ordered his detention. They also give no cause of death and do not say whether an investigation into it has been opened. No comment from Kondratov’s relatives or lawyers, or from the investigators, appears in these reports.

Sverka will update this account if the cause of his death, the details of the case against him or any official statements are made public.