Police in the Moscow region have detained a man who they believe poisoned to death 13 people during robberies, the Investigative Committee said Wednesday.
Local resident Alexei Vygovsky robbed 38 drunk people in commuter trains running from the Kursky and Kazansky stations after poisoning their booze or treating them to poisoned cognac.
Vygovsky chose well-dressed men as his victims and robbed them after they fell unconscious, the committee said in a statement. Thirteen of his victims died, 12 remain on life support and others lost their memory.
Investigators opened a criminal case on charges of robbery and causing serious health damage leading to death. If convicted, Vygovsky faces up to 15 years in prison for each of the charges.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.