MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. Another member of the criminal group led by Aslan Gagiyev, that is behind more than 40 murders in Russia, has been detained in Montenegro, the official spokesman for Russia’s Investigative Committee (IC), Vladimir Markin, said on Monday.

Ivan Bagayev, known as Tolik, was detained during a joint operation of the Investigative Committee, the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Interior Ministry in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Interpol and competent authorities of Montenegro.

Investigators believe that Bagayev’s role was to provide the armed groups "with all the means needed to commit crimes, including weapons, ammunition and vehicles."

Bagayev is accused of "direct participation" in several killings, including that of Kazbek Pagiyev, a deputy prime minister of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania in late December 2008.

Bagayev, who has been on the international wanted list since March 2009, had a fake passport of a Ukrainian citizen, Markin said. "Currently, the issue of Bagayev’s extradition to Russia is being considered," he added.

The criminal group, established and led by Aslan Gagiyev, started its activities in 2004 and had some 46 members. The gang has committed more than 40 killings, as well as attempted murders of police officers in Moscow, the Moscow region, and in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.