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Investigators probing death of two servicemen in Chechnya

The investigators said the bodies of the servicemen were found at 15:00, Moscow time, on Tuesday

MOSCOW, October 26 (Itar-Tass) — Investigators are checking all the versions of the death of two contract servicemen in Chechnya, military prosecutors told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

"The 515th military investigation department in the settlement of Borzoi opened a criminal case over the hallmarks of crime envisioned by Article 105, Part 2 of Russia's Criminal Code [murder of two or more persons], in connection with the death of Lance Corporal Maxim Nisveteyev and Private Mairudin Mirzoyev," a military prosecutor said.

The investigators said the bodies of the servicemen were found at 15:00, Moscow time, on Tuesday by the officer who had brought them lunch to the watch post near the road between the settlement of Shatoi and Grozny.

"An examination found that Mirzoyev had multiple gunshot wounds to the stomach and left hand, while Nisveteyev died of at least three gunshot wounds to the left side of the chest," an official at the Main Military Investigation Department (GVSU) said.

Detectives found two AK-74 assault rifles issued to Nisveteyev and Mirzoyev, 12 shell casings and three bullets at the scene.

"Medical and ballistic tests will be carried out. An additional inspection of the scene of the incident was carried out early on Wednesday. "Preliminary investigation continues," the GVSU said.

Law-enforcement bodies said 120 rounds of ammunition had been issued to the servicemen. An examination found that one of the servicemen was short of 12 rounds.

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