Two men face trial in Russia over the rape and murder of a 36-year-old woman in Voskresensk, prosecutors said.
The press service for the Moscow Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the criminal case against both suspects has been formally submitted to the Moscow Regional Court for consideration on its merits.
Investigators said the two accused met the local resident on 26 August 2020 in Voskresensk, a town in the Moscow region. The group drank alcohol together before the two men launched a physical assault on the woman.
According to law enforcement officials, one of the men proceeded to rape the victim while his accomplice forcibly held her down.
The attack escalated after the victim stated that she intended to report the incident to the police. Prosecutors said the two men then inflicted multiple severe blows to her face and body to conceal their crime.
The woman sustained injuries that proved fatal at the scene. Both attackers fled immediately, leaving her body in public view where it was later discovered by passersby.
DNA match leads to arrests
The case was solved after forensic investigators recovered genetic material left behind at the crime scene by one of the perpetrators. A search of Russia's federal DNA database identified the suspect and confirmed his involvement.
During police interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement and gave evidence about his accomplice, who was subsequently detained by officers.
Both defendants face multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including murder committed by a group of persons with extreme cruelty to hide another crime, alongside rape and sexual assault charges.
Court proceedings ahead
Under Russian criminal procedure, cases involving aggravated murder charges are referred to regional level courts. The Moscow Regional Court will hear the case against both men.
Voskresensk is a town situated in the Moscow region of Russia. The Moscow Regional Court serves as the regional judicial authority for major criminal cases in the area.
