Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
Joseph Stalin’s great-grandson claims he has been forced into hiding after his dad tried to kill him so he can have the expensive Moscow apartment they both live in.
Selim Ben Saad Jr, 48, is the great-grandson of infamous Communist dictator Joseph Stalin, according to local media. His mother Galina Jughashvili is the granddaughter of Stalin. Galina’s father Jakob, who died at Sachenhausen concentration camp during World War II, was Stalin’s eldest son.
Selim Ben Saad Jr was born after Galina had a relationship with Selim Ben Saad Sr, who is the grandson of an Algerian man called Selim Ben Saad.
Ben Saad Jr vanished three months ago sparking fears for his safety after the disappearance was reported by his father Selim Ben Saad Sr, according to local media. He said his son disappeared about three months ago while he was away, and that he had not replied to any of his messages.
Local media said that Ben Saad Jr has a hearing disability and poor eyesight, and that he is the least public member of Stalin’s living relatives.
He has spent his whole life living in an apartment near the infamous KGB building in the centre of Moscow with a reported value of 30 million RUB (362,580 GBP).
He used to work for the State Archive of the Russian Federation, but in times of need he also reportedly moonlighted as a loader at a local supermarket.
But now he has resurfaced at least on social media, claiming that his father wants to kill him so he can have the flat, according to local media.
He claimed that his father had allegedly tried to strangle him on multiple occasions which forced him into hiding.
He wrote: “He (the father) has a psychological problem and he wants to kill me and get the flat.”
According to local media, both Ben Saads and the wife of Ben Saad Jr are living in the same apartment.
It is unclear whether Ben Saad Jr has reported the allegations to the authorities.
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