Man accused of poisoning and robbing pedestrians in central Moscow arrested

A man suspected in a series of Moscow poisonings has been brought into police custody, the news agency Moskva reported.

The Russian outlet The Village had previously discovered that at least 24 people fell victim to the man’s actions in May and June. He would introduce himself to passersby in the center of Russia’s capital, treat them to a fizzy drink that was poisoned, and then beat and rob them. Some victims fell into a coma. The attacks took place near Chistye Prudy as well as on Khokhlovskaya Square, Gorka (not Gorky) Park, and the Zinziver bar.

A law enforcement source told Moskva that packets containing a white powder were found during a search of the suspect’s apartment. The suspect had previously been arrested for robbery but was released after he signed a pledge not to leave Moscow. When the poisoning attacks resumed, he was arrested again.

Two Telegram-based outlets have made efforts to identify the alleged culprit. Baza says he is 26-year-old Murat Sabanov of Kabardino-Balkaria, and Mash identified him as Marat Sabinov.