Deputy Head Of Russian Central Bank Shot Dead

Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov in Sochi last September (ITAR-TASS) September 14, 2006 – Russian Central Bank First Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov has died from wounds suffered in a shooting by unknown gunmen in Moscow late on September 13.

Kozlov died after undergoing emergency surgery on wounds to his head and body.


During a cabinet meeting in Moscow today, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov called for a minute of silence to honor Kozlov, whose death he called a "serious loss.".


Kozlov's driver was also killed in the attack, which occurred in northeastern Moscow's Sokolniki district outside a sports arena where bank workers had been playing soccer.


MORE: Coverage of this story in Russian from RFE/RL's Russian Service.


The gunmen were waiting for Kozlov as he emerged from the arena.


During the cabinet meeting today, Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev described how the investigation is proceeding.


"After the crime was committed yesterday, the most experienced officials from the Criminal Investigations Division, from the Organized Crime Division, [along with] the head of the city police, went to the scene," Nurgaliyev said. "I am in practical control of all phases of the investigation."


Kozlov had been in charge of an aggressive campaign against money laundering and other crimes in Russia's banking system.


"We are working on a scenario that is work-related, and we are pursuing other scenarios as well," Nurgaliyev told the cabinet.


(AFP, AP, RIA Novosti, Interfax, Reuters)

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