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 his cell at a detention center before his trial in the capital Moscow for allegations 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 Mr. Evdokimov's cell 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 center where Mr. Evdokimov is being held.

An anonymous source close to the investigation said the assassination theory was the most credible at the moment because “Mr. Evdokimov’s enemies fear he might give their names in the investigation and expose their criminal plans.”

Mr. Vladimir Evdokimov.

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

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

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 served as 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