The Russian administration has launched an investigation after a top scientist who helped to develop the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V was strangled with a belt at his Moscow apartment on Thursday.
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Andrey Botikov, the 47-year-old virologist, was part of the team comprising 18 scientists who worked on the Sputnik V vaccine at the Gamaleya National Research Center and facilitated its release in 2020.
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Was a celebrated scientist
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin honoured the virologist with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland award for his work on the COVID vaccine in 2021.
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Before his work on the Sputnik V vaccine, Botikov had worked as a senior scientist at the Russian State Collection of Viruses D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology.
Murder was a domestic crime: Agencies
In a Telegram statement, the committee, which is the investigating authority in Russia, revealed that Botikov’s death is being probed as murder.
According to operatives, a 29-year-old man strangled Botikov with a belt during an argument and fled. Law enforcement agencies have said the murder was a domestic crime resulting from a conflict.
The suspect was arrested briefly after Botikov’s body was discovered, the federal investigative agency said in the statement.
Russian media reveals suspect’s identity
Meanwhile, Russian media reports revealed the suspect’s identity as Alexei Z, who has previously spent 10 years behind bars for providing sex services.
“The location of the attacker was established in short order. During the interrogation, he pled guilty and was charged. The defendant has a previous criminal record, as he stood trial on charges of committing a serious crime. In the near future, the investigation plans to petition the court to place the defendant in custody pending trial,” the Investigative Committee said.
General Vladimir Makarov
Botikov’s death comes a couple of weeks after Russian General Vladimir Makarov allegedly committed suicide at his country home.
Also, a Russian business tycoon named Pavel Antov was found dead after he fell out of a hotel window while staying in India.
The multi-millionaire was on holiday in the eastern state of Odisha, where he was celebrating his 66th birthday.
(With inputs from agencies)
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