Uzbek citizen charged with murder of Russian lieutenant general

Uzbek citizen Akhmadjon Kurbanov has been charged with premeditated murder, terrorist acts, and weapons possession in connection with the deaths of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov in a Moscow explosion. According to the Basmanny Court's decision, Kurbanov will remain in custody until February 17, 2025, pending investigation.

Investigators said that Kurbanov admitted that he was hired by Ukrainian special services. He was offered a reward of $100,000 and a guarantee of entry into the European Union for the assassination of the general. It was noted that the defendant had no criminal record at the time of his arrest, and that he had a family and minor children.

General Kirillov and his aide were killed in an explosion on December 17 as they were leaving a subway station on Ryazan Avenue in Moscow. According to the investigation, the explosive device was planted on a scooter parked near the station. Kirillov served as the head of the Russian army's radiation, chemical and biological defense troops and was repeatedly accused of ordering the use of chemical weapons in warfare.

Ukrainian special services called Kirillov's killing a "special operation." They also said they had eliminated him as a war criminal. However, the Ukrainian president's office has denied using such methods and has not responded to these allegations.

The investigation into this case is ongoing, and the defendant could face the most severe penalty - life imprisonment.