TOMSK, Russia -- A Russian journalist allegedly beaten by police earlier this month in the city of Tomsk died today from his injuries, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Konstantin Popov, 47, was taken by police to the jail's sobriety center in Tomsk earlier this month during Russia's 10-day New Year's and Christmas holiday. He was then hospitalized with severe internal wounds, apparently the result of a beating.
Popov underwent surgery, but he remained in a coma until his death.
Policeman Aleksei Mitaev, 26, was arrested as a suspect in Popov's beating. Mitaev reportedly said he was distraught over family problems at the time of the incident.
Tomsk's sobriety center was closed and its leadership resigned after the incident.