Kirov Theory A

• Kirov was assassinated by Nikolayev on 1 December 1934.
• Nikolayev appeared to be acting alone and he certainly had both the motive and opportunity to carry out the murder.
• Nikolayev had been expelled from the party in Leningrad, in which Kirov was the head and his ex-wife worked as a secretary in Kirov's office and there were rumours that she was having an affair with him.
• Among Nikolayev's possessions was a map of Kirov's route to work and a diary with a plan of the murder.