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According to a Russian media story on Saturday, police have detained a suspect in connection with the murder of Andrey Botikov, one of the scientists who worked on the development of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V. Botikov was strangled with a belt at his apartment here.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, according to Russian News Agency TASS, reported that Botikov, 47, a top researcher at the Gamaleya National Research Center for Ecology and Mathematics, was discovered dead in his apartment on Thursday.
The virologist’s work on the COVID vaccine was recognized in 2021 by Russian President Vladimir Putin with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland medal. The Sputnik V vaccine was created in 2020 by 18 experts, including Botikov, according to reports.
According to the committee, which is the investigating body in Russia, his demise is being looked into as a possible murder.
Investigators claim a 29-year-old young man strangled Botikov with a belt during a dispute and raced away. The story stated that law enforcement officials determined that the murder was a domestic crime and the outcome of a dispute.
The federal investigative agency stated in the statement that the suspect was captured soon after Botikov’s corpse was discovered.
“It didn’t take long to find the attacker’s position. He confessed and admitted culpability while being questioned. The defendant has a history of criminal activity because he was tried for a severe crime. The investigation intends to request the defendant’s detention awaiting trial in the near future “said the Investigative Committee.
