Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
Russian authorities have pressed terrorism charges against a man suspected of killing the head of the army’s chemical weapons division in a bomb attack, state media reported Thursday, citing anonymous law enforcement sources.
Akhmad Kurbanov, who is said to be a citizen of Uzbekistan, reportedly faces three charges of murder, arms trafficking and terrorism in the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. Kurbanov pleaded guilty, according to the Kommersant business daily, which cited anonymous security service sources.
“When the general came out of the entrance, I pressed the button,” Kurbanov was quoted as saying during an interrogation.
Kirillov and his assistant were killed Tuesday walking out of a Moscow apartment building early in the morning after an explosive device attached to a nearby scooter went off.
news
Who Was Igor Kirillov, the Highest-Ranking Assassinated Russian General?
Read more
Kommersant noted that an organized crime unit of Russia’s Investigative Committee pressed charges against Kurbanov. The publication called the move “somewhat unusual,” saying that terrorism is usually investigated by the committee’s other departments, primarily one that deals with high-priority cases.
Kurbanov faces life in prison if found guilty.
The day after Kirillov’s assassination, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced Kurbanov’s arrest and his alleged admission that he had been recruited by Ukraine’s special forces.
In a series of anonymously attributed media comments, Ukraine’s SBU security service claimed responsibility for killing the “war criminal” Kirillov. Ukraine charged Kirillov with the use of banned chemical weapons during the Russian invasion the day before his death.
Russian investigators said Kurbanov had admitted to mounting an explosive device on the scooter and streaming the attack to “organizers” in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro from a rented car parked nearby.
He was allegedly promised $100,000 to carry out the attack, as well as the possibility to settle in a “European country,” the statement read.
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.
Continue
Not ready to support today? Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy.
