News circulated on a Telegram channel about a tension-filled incident involving a senior academic from Moscow State University. Reportedly, a professor communicated a warning to a colleague after receiving death threats, a moment described by observers as a stark incident of fear and intimidation. The phrase that drew attention was simply, yet chillingly, a direct alert to the academic community: beware, Moscow.
The man in question is 63 years old and is affiliated with Moscow State University, specifically within the Institute of Asian and African Countries, in the Department of Eastern Political Science. The description places him in a department known for its deep study of political dynamics across Asia and Africa, a field where scholars frequently navigate sensitive and high-stakes discourse.
The focus of the investigation shifted when a female colleague approached the police to report concerns about threats she perceived from the same professor. The senior investigator reportedly discussed with the university leadership the possibility of violent harm being directed toward the professor. The claims resurfaced during a workplace discussion with the university’s deputy rector, where there was an explicit mention of protective measures in response to ongoing tensions.
According to the account, the investigator allegedly stated that if there was no other option to address the issue around the colleague Natalya Sergeevna, a killer would be sought to resolve the problem. Those who were present at the meeting understood this as a serious and escalating threat. The professor, tied to prior disputes over his research and the dissemination of certain ideas, perceived that he had become the target of sustained and harmful remarks, prompting him to request formal protection and to document the alleged pattern of abuse.
The university administration acknowledged the concern raised by the complainant. In response, authorities opened a formal inquiry to assess the veracity and scope of the alleged threats, and to determine appropriate steps to ensure the safety and integrity of the campus environment. This investigation is being handled through standard procedures that govern staff safety and professional conduct at the institution.
Meanwhile, external observers and former university activists in the United States have weighed in with their own opinions about the case. Some have called on university leadership to review the professor’s employment terms in light of his public statements about the relationship between sexuality and religious duties. These remarks, viewed by critics as controversial, have sparked broader debates about the limits of academic expression, the role of faith in public life, and how universities respond to contentious speech while maintaining an inclusive environment for students and staff. The discussions reflect a wider global context in which faculty members navigate complex intersections of scholarship, personal belief, and professional responsibility.