Russian space official dies mysteriously in prison cell with 3 stab wounds

A top official of Russia's Federal Space Agency Roscosmos has been found dead in his prison cell with three stab wounds.

RT quoted information from the Russian Investigative Committee saying that Vladimir Evdokimov, 56 years old, was found dead on March 18 in a cell at a detention center before a trial in the capital Moscow on charges of embezzlement.

Russian official found dead mysteriously in prison cell with three stab wounds.

Investigators found two stab wounds to Mr Evdokimov's chest and one stab wound to the victim's neck.

A knife believed to be the murder weapon was also found at the scene, said Investigative Committee spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova. Later on March 18, Roscosmos confirmed on its Twitter account that Mr. Evdokimos had died.

The Investigative Committee said 11 people who shared a cell with Mr Evdokimov have been questioned and investigators are now identifying suspects. The Prosecutor General's Office and other relevant agencies will conduct separate investigations into the safety of prisoners and the quality of security at the centre where Mr Evdokimov is being held.

A source close to the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assassination theory was the most credible at the moment because “Evdokimov’s enemies fear he might give their names in the investigation and expose their criminal plans.”

Mr. Vladimir Evdokimov.

At this point, the theory of his suicide is not very convincing. “His death raises many questions, including whether it was a suicide or a murder,” said Eva Merkacheva of the Public Observation Committee. “His relatives said there was no indication that he was thinking about suicide before the trial. And the fact that he died in his cell is strange.”

According to Ms. Merkacheva, Mr. Evdokimov was transferred to another cell last month, but prison authorities refused to provide further information.

Former colleagues of Mr. Evdokimov said that he was a professional who made a great contribution to the development of the Russian space industry. He used to be the executive director in charge of quality control and reliability issues. In December 2016, Mr. Evdokimov was arrested on charges of embezzling $3.1 million, which he strongly denied./.

According to VOV