Murderers of Galina Starovoitova detained in Czech Republic

We have already reconciled to the fact that the assassinations of famous politicians, journalists, businessmen and sportsmen will be never solved. They are shifted to the category of crimes that are to remain unsolved. But the recently received information seems to be disproving the mentioned above.

People, suspected of the assassination of Duma deputy Galina Starovoitova have been detained in the Czech Republic, Vremya Novostei newspaper informs with a reference to sources in the special services.

Duma deputy Galina Starovoitova was shot at the entry of the house where she lived in St.Petersburg in the night of November 20-21 in 1998. A criminal case was instituted on the article #277 of the RF Criminal Code (attempt at a statesman or a public figure), the case was submitted to the investigation service of the FSB department for further inquiry.

The detained in the Czech Republic – two Russians Yury Biryuchenko nick-named Tankman and Viktor Kudryashov – once were members of a large criminal group, that committed several outrageous crimes.

Since 1995 the gang has been acting under the covering of the Falcon private security agency. The investigation supposes, the gang was involved in racketeering and contract assassinations.

The assassination of Galina Starovoitova is also unique because both presidents of Russia – Yeltsin and Putin – have undertaken the control over the crime.

The investigation has worked through several dozens of the crime’s versions. About 850 witnesses have been questioned as for the case, 34 searches and 24 seizures have been held, 50 examinations have been done, 103 expert examinations, 18 identifications on photos and three investigation experiments have been organized.

A group of killers connected with committing of other crimes has been arrested during the investigation. But, despite the actions taken, the investigation has not solved the assassination of Galina Starovoitova. Everything connected with the case of Starovoitova is under a veil of secret.

Interpol bureau in Russia has issued no comments on the information about the detention of people suspected of murdering Galina Starovoitova. They recommend to address the investigators of the crime.

Head of St.Petersburg criminal police Alexander Smirnov, who is responsible for the investigation of the assassination, in the interview to Echo Moskvy radio denied connection of the detained criminals with the assassination of Galina Starovoitova. He says, there are two criminals who are to be extradited to Russia but because of some other crimes.

It is hard to discern the truth and the lie in the situation. Let us follow the situation’s development.

Dmitry Chirkin PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Maria Gousseva

In the photo: Galina Starovoitova

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/02/15/37137.html