Traffic police detained Alexander Kibalchenko, one of the developers associated with the Buran spacecraft project, as he attempted to depart from Russia illegally. The investigation treats him as the client and organizer of the murder of his former son-in-law. This development was reported by TASS.
Due to Kibalchenko’s alleged escape from house arrest, authorities have opened a criminal case related to this matter. Investigators are also examining possible accomplices in the act of desertion, and a series of inquiries has been initiated to uncover all the parties involved and the sequence of events.
Officials noted that Kibalchenko was previously held under house arrest, but following the incident the court decided to place him in a pre-trial detention center pending further proceedings.
The arrest occurred on the night of Monday, April 17, when Kibalchenko’s car was stopped by traffic police on the Kaluga highway. According to investigators, he was attempting to flee the country by traveling through Belarus in transit, with the goal of reaching a destination outside of Russia and evading the court process.
Earlier reports identified Alexei Moskalev, a 53-year-old resident of the Tula region, as another individual who escaped from house arrest ahead of a verdict in a case involving alleged discrediting of the Russian Armed Forces. Preliminary information indicates Moskalev disengaged from electronic monitoring by cutting his ankle bracelet and disappearing.
Subsequently, the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the detention of Moskalev at the request of Russian law enforcement. Moskalev was sentenced to two years in prison for discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and Belarus authorities reported that he was arrested in connection with the ongoing case investigation.
The new developments underscore ongoing efforts by authorities to track down suspects and enforce the legal penalties prescribed by Russian law. The cases raise questions about security measures around high-profile individuals and the potential impact of such incidents on public perception, as well as on the efficiency of border controls and the legal process in politically sensitive cases. The authorities have indicated that additional updates will be provided as the investigations proceed and more details become available. Attribution: TASS.