RIP, Andre Vltchek: A tireless and fearless fighter for the voiceless and powerless

Turkish authorities are investigating the death of an American author and journalist, Andre Vltchek, who died while traveling overnight from the Turkish Black Sea coastal city of Samsun to Istanbul, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Tuesday (Sept. 22).

Vltchek, 57, and his wife were traveling inside a rented, chauffeured car and arrived in front of their Istanbul hotel at around 5:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. His wife tried to wake him up to tell him they had arrived but could not do so, the Anadolu Agency reported. Medical teams called to the scene declared him dead.

The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office immediately launched an investigation into the death and his body was taken to a forensic medicine institution to be examined. The private DHA news agency said police recorded his case as a "suspicious death."

Vltchek was Russian-born and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. The couple arrived in Turkey from Serbia on Sept. 12 and spent nine days in Samsun, his wife told investigators. Vtcheck had paralysis in one leg and diabetes and was taking two types of medicine, according to NTV.

Who is Andre Vltchek?

As a Russian philosopher, writer, filmmaker and investigative journalist, Andre Vltchek had dedicated his entire life to exposing the lies of Western Imperialism and showing patterns of human sufferings in different parts of the world. He had published more than 20 books as well as produced and directed various documentary films including the latest one called DOWNFALL which took him 15 years to complete. He had also spoken at many institutions, universities and programs. 

Vltchek had been through many war zones and extremely dangerous situations, including in Iraq, Sri Lanka, Bosnia, Rwanda and Syria, but he was a fearless fighter. He had been fighting and continued to fight against what he considered unjustified and unfair. He had always been on the front line of the tireless battle for the voiceless and powerless, and for the truth.

His Unprecedented Documentary DOWNFALL

This 122-minute feature documentary, DOWNFALL, is about the U.S.-military coup of 1965 which took 2-3 million lives and converted Indonesia into a poor, secretive, oppressive society without a single important thinker or scientist. It took Andre 15 years to finish this unprecedented piece of work. He traveled to virtually all the parts of Indonesia, covering and filming conflict zones, natural disaster areas, as well as the social and intellectual upheaval and final collapse of this the 4th most populous nation on Earth.

John Pilger, the award-winning Australian filmmaker described it as "a big, raw, angry, often eloquent work in its imagery." Pilger concluded, "The rawness is so interesting; you wield it as a weapon of the truth and persuasion, and the images you bring together, almost defiantly, are often painful to watch. Thank you for making the film and for keeping alive the hope of an Indonesia before 1965."

You can watch the trailer here: Trailer of an unprecedented documentary exposing the truth of Indonesia — DOWNFALL

DotDotNews Exclusive Interview with Vltchek

Earlier this year, DotDotNews reached out to Vltchek for an exclusive interview of "Be My Guest". Without hesitance, he accepted our invitation and shared his legendary experience in many parts of the world and exposed the lies of Western Imperialism. The interview reveals his unique insights towards the world and his words will always be an inspiration and enlightenment for many of us.

In a belief that "knowledge brings responsibility," he considered what he had been doing a calling rather than simply a career. Just as he said, "The truth has to be unveiled. If the West insists, if it keeps pushing, the battles have to be fought. And they will be fought."

If there is a better place, Andre Vltchek, you will be in it. R.I.P.