Investigating bodies of Moscow Main Investigations Directorate of the Russia’s Investigative Committee have initiated a criminal case over murder of Alexander Leonov, investigator of North Investigation Department of Moscow Inter-Regional Transport Investigations Directorate. The case was started over a crime under paragraph “b” of part 2 of article 105 (murder in connection with the official activity), part 1 of article 222 (illegal handling of firearms).

According to preliminary data, on 12 September 2012 around 11 p.m. the investigator with his de facto wife drove to his house in Krylatskiye Kholmy in Moscow. While the woman was parking the car, unknown persons shot the investigator. He died of the wounds on the spot.

Investigation group of Moscow Main Investigations Directorate led by the Chief of the Directorate immediately set off for the scene.

Investigators consider all possible versions of the murder of 38-year-old major investigator Alexander Leonov. They consider the investigators’ professional activity as the most possible versions, but domestic murder is not ruled out as well. A criminal case started over two articles: murder in connection with the official activity and illegal handling of firearms. Most likely it was a planned contract murder. This is shown by the picture of the crime. The killer knew where the victim lived and the approximate time he returned from work. The killer professionally and quickly enough fled the crime scene and took certain measures to cover up the traces of the crime.

In order to find motives of the murder and persons who might be involved in it, the investigators are studying the victim’s circle of acquaintances, all files and criminal cases the investigator had been working on. Alexander Leonov came to the Investigative Committee only around two months ago. Earlier he had worked in court and other law enforcement bodies. That is why investigators are going to study his official activity at his previous jobs.

To solve the case in the shortest possible time an investigation group was set up composed of the most experienced investigations and criminologists of Moscow Main Investigations Directorate and of Central Office of the Russia’s Investigative Committee. Leadership of the Russia’s Investigative Committee has the investigation of the case under control.