MOSCOW, November 16 (Itar-Tass) —— The detectives from the central staff of the Investigative Committee were involved in the investigation of the murder of a well-known Chechen poet and public figure Ruslan Akhtakhanov, who was shot down in northern Moscow overnight to Wednesday.
“On the orders of the Investigative Committee leadership experienced detectives from the central staff were involved in the investigation,” spokesman for the Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
The detectives from the Moscow main investigation department of the Investigative Committee are investigating this high-profile murder.
The killer has made several shots from the IZH pistol in Akhtakhanov at about 11.50 p.m. Moscow time on Tuesday at 2, Beregovaya Street in northern Moscow. Akhtakhanov was getting out from his car at the moment of murder. The killer escaped by a Ford Focus car. This car was found burnt down later with the IZH pistol and ammunition inside. The cartridge shells had the same calibre as those found at the crime scene.
“The detectives are investigating all possible murder theories,” Markin said. Meanwhile, the detectives do not rule out a contract murder. “The method of murder, when the killer injured the victim and then has made one more shot in the head, makes it possible to conclude that the murder was contract,” the spokesman said.
A criminal case was opened under Article 105 Part 1 and Article 222 of the Criminal Code for murder and the illegal circulation of weapons, but may be re-qualified as contract murder.
The detectives are investigating Akhtakhanov’s acquaintances, his interests and public and political opinions. They are taking other investigative actions seeking to find all details of the murder and criminals involved in masterminding and committing the murder.
Forensic, ballistic and other expertise were scheduled.
The Chechen poet will be buried at his native village. His relatives are waiting for the arrival of the airplane with the killed poet for the funeral according to the Muslim traditions in the village of Znamenskaya in the Nadterechny district of the republic.
Ruslan Akhtakhanov began writing poems, while being captured by the gunmen and being kept in the zindan almost without any hope for release. His first poem was named “While the rows are ruling the world.” He published seven books of poetry. His poem collection “I am proud of Chechnya, which presented the heroes to the world” in November 2009, was awarded the Artyom Borovik special prize for a firm internationalist position in life and creative work.
Since 2000 Akhtakhanov has worked at the Modern Humanitarian Academy, which opened its branch in Achkhoi-Martan. Meanwhile, he was awarded the title of an honorable worker of higher vocational education.
He lived in Moscow for the last 10-15 years.