Barnaul: 38-year-old on trial for first-date killing

A 38-year-old man in Barnaul awaits trial after being charged with killing a young woman on a first date. The case, investigated by the Investigative Committee of Russia in the Altai Territory, centers on events from January 2023 when the accused visited a 20-year-old woman he had previously met online. After sharing drinks, the encounter turned violent, ending with the woman being assaulted and strangled. Prosecutors and investigators worked closely with the city’s police to secure evidence and locate the suspect, despite the crime taking place in an unexpected setting. The joint actions led to a rapid breakthrough, and the suspect was identified and detained at the earliest opportunity. A criminal case has been opened, with materials forwarded to the court for consideration. In a separate note, reports from Buryatia indicated that a prior arrest involved a man suspected of theft who appeared to be homeless, highlighting the varied circumstances surrounding some suspects under regional law enforcement observation.