Russia identifies two suspects in attempted assassination of general

Russian investigators have identified two suspects in the attempted assassination of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a deputy chief of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), according to a source cited by the newspaper Kommersant.

The source said one of the suspects is believed to have carried out the shooting, firing three times at Alekseyev. The general survived the attack and has undergone surgery, which was reported to be successful, Caliber.Az reports. 

Both suspects are expected to be brought in for questioning in the coming days. If investigators confirm their involvement, formal charges will be filed and a court will decide on preventive measures on February 8.

The assassination attempt took placeon February 6 at a residential building on Volokolamskoye Shosse in Moscow. According to preliminary reports, the attacker lay in wait for Alekseyev on a stairwell landing. The general reportedly managed to react to the initial shots, which struck his limbs, before being wounded in the chest or abdomen as the assailant fled the scene.

Alekseyev was hospitalised in serious condition following the attack. 

By Sabina Mammadli