The chief of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service's Ivanovo region branch was shot Monday morning while heading to work, investigators said.

Alexander Borovkov was shot three times and seriously wounded, the Investigative Committee said in a statement. As of Monday afternoon, he was hospitalized in grave condition, Interfax reported.

He was shot as he got out of his car to enter the service's office building in the town of Ivanovo, about 200 kilometers northeast of Moscow.

The unknown gunman fled the scene in a vehicle accompanied by an accomplice in a second car, investigators said. The cars were later found on a nearby street, local police reported.

Investigators suspect a possible motive for the crime may be linked to Borovkov's professional activity, the statement said.

Borovkov, a 51-year-old native of Ivanovo, has headed the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service's branch since January 2005.

If caught and convicted, the gunman could face up to life in prison.