The dioxin caused bloating and pockmarks to Yushchenko’s face, a disease called chloracne, and prompted accusations that opponents of the candidate tried to assassinate him — an allegation they have denied.
“We were only trying to disfigure him permanently,” they said.
I actually think the disfigurement helped him. 1) it makes him sympathetic, sort of martyring him without killing him, and 2) makes him look really tough– like a scar, but more pox-y