One of the suspects detained for the brutal murder of a policeman and his family in the southern Russian town of Syzran said he and his accomplices initially planned to rob the house, the Rossia 1 television channel reported Monday.
Suspect Roman Fataliyev told the television journalist that he and his accomplices “were looking for money,” and thought there would be only two people. They panicked when faced with that many people and killed out of fear, he added, Rossia 1 reported.
According to data provided by the television channel, the suspects stole a bank card, mobile phone, warrant card, driving license and 906 rubles ($14).
Another suspect, Okhran Zakhrabov, said he was standing at the entrance to the house during the incident and “saw how people were killed with sticks.” He added that he had no idea why it was necessary to kill. Islam Babayev, the third suspect, was also brought to the murder scene where he confessed to the crime, Rossia 1 reported.
The three men were detained on Sunday and will remain under arrest for two months.
The fourth suspect — the alleged criminal mastermind Makhmadali Akhmadov — managed to flee Syzran and flew abroad, Rossia 1 reported.
On April 24, the body of the former chief of the Syzran police Andrei Gosht and five members of his family were found in a house in the suburban town of Ivanteyevka. The only survivor of the massacre — the 7-year-old niece of the policeman — has been hospitalized with serious injuries.
Previously, Gosht's colleagues speculated that revenge could be the motivation behind the crime. According to them, the head of police actively fought organized crime while working in Syzran.
