St Petersburg man detained over acquaintance’s killing near Ligovsky Canal

Investigators in St Petersburg detained a 53-year-old local man in connection with an acquaintance’s death. The city’s Investigative Committee directorate said he had been charged with murder and theft.

A bag containing packages of human remains was found on the bank of Ligovsky Canal on October 15. Investigators opened a murder case under Part 1 of Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code after the discovery.

Investigators believe the attack took place in April. They allege that the defendant struck his acquaintance in the head while the men were drinking alcohol beside the canal. According to their account, he dismembered the body after the victim died and placed the remains in rubbish bags.

The Investigative Committee said the defendant also took the dead man’s bank cards and mobile phone.