MIA does not confirm detention of Markelov's killers

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Russia has denied the information disseminated today that the killers of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova were detained.

Today, a source in law enforcement bodies has reported that in Moscow employees of special agencies have solved the murders of Markelov and Baburova. According to his version, it was established that the murders were committed by former members of the nationalist organization "Russian National Unity" (known as "RNE"). The motive of the murders, according to the source, was to take revenge for the lawyer's work in defending victims of nationalists in courts.

The "Interfax" reports that Alexander Barkashov, former leader of the forbidden organization RNE denies any involvement of its members in murdering lawyer Stanislav Markelov.

The Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office (ICPO) of Russia withheld from any comments on the media information about detention of suspects, as the "Gazeta.Ru" reports.

See earlier reports: "Chechen President finds "Novaya Gazeta" articles on Markelov's murder slanderous", "Markelov's brother says the advocate's murder is solved", "Moscow: over 60 persons hold picket in Markelov's and Baburova's memory".