A former Russian police general who had been in charge of cracking down on protesters has been found dead in an apparent suicide following his dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, state media reported. The Baza Telegram channel, which is believed to have links to Russian security services, cited anonymous sources as saying that Makarov had allegedly shot himself with a gas-operated hunting rifle at his home in the presence of his wife. Makarov is the latest high-ranking Russian security figure to have died by apparent suicide in recent months