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Police detain suspect in hegumen murder in Yaroslavl region — investigation

"Investigative procedures are under way, preventive measures will be decided soon." spokesman of the Russian Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin said

MOSCOW, July 9. /TASS/. The police have detained suspect of murder of the abbot of St. Trinity/St. Daniel's monastery Daniel (Maxim Sokolov), spokesman of the Russian Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin told TASS on Saturday.

"Under the criminal case on murder of the abbot of St. Trinity/St. Daniel's monastery, the investigation detained a 27-year-old novice Alexander Shulepov," he said. "Investigative procedures are under way, preventive measures will be decided soon."

From the very beginning of investigation, experts said the novice could be involved in the murder. The man left the monastery on July 7.

"The investigators have questioned as evidences the novices and other people in the monastery, searched cells and appointed required tests," the spokesman said. "They check various versions of the crime and find out reasons for it."

Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry Irina Volk said on Saturday, the detention was organized in the neighboring Vladimir region, and the detained is being convoyed back to the Yaroslavl region.

Patriarch voiced condolences

Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill I earlier voiced condolences to everyone, who cherished spiritual endeavors and achievements of hegumen Daniel (Sokolov) of the Holy Trinity/St. Daniel’s monastery in the olden town of Pereslavl-Zalessky, some 170 km to the northwest of Moscow, whose body was found on Thursday on the compound of the monastery "with signs of violent death of it.

"The news about the slaying of hegumen Daniel (Sokolov), the abbot of the Holy Trinity/St. Daniel’s monastery who contributed significantly to the revival of the old shrine caused aches in my heart," Kirill I said in a letter of bishop Theodore of Pereslavl and Ouglich, the brethren and parishioners of the monastery.

"I express my sincere condolences to everyone who cherished him and who lost a spiritual father, a preacher, a co-server, an assistant, a brother in Christ, and a loved one," he said.

The body of the 42-year-old hegumen was found in his cell. The press service of the diocese cast doubted over the supposition that hegumen Daniel might have been killed to gain lucre, as the Holy Trinity/St. Daniel’s monastery has few monks and is rather pressed for finances.

The monks told TASS the Right Reverend Sokolov did not mention any threats to his life on the eve of the tragedy.

The Holy Trinity/St. Daniel’s monastery was founded in 1508 by the spiritual father of the Grand Duke of Moscow, Basil III, who was the father of Ivan the Terrible. In the second half of the 18th century, it housed the Pereslavl theological seminary and then a theological school.

The Bolshevik authorities closed it down in 1923. Its compound was used for a variety of purposes through to 1995, including for warehouses, residential dwellings, and a prisoner of war camp with a military base during World War II.