A Moscow lawyer, Sergei Zuev, has been arrested and faces charges including murder, fraud, and concealment of a serious crime, following an investigation into the death of an acquaintance.

The Main Investigative Directorate (GSU) of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation (SKR) in Moscow reported that Zuev is suspected of stabbing the man to death in October 2024 during an argument over a real estate transaction.

Investigators allege that Zuev stabbed the acquaintance at least three times in the heart, resulting in his death at the scene.

A friend of Zuev is accused of assisting in covering up the crime.

The Investigative Committee reports that the two men transported the body to a farm near Solnechnogorsk in the Moscow region and burned it in a pet cremation furnace.

Following the alleged murder, the accused reportedly sold the deceased’s property, obtaining over 5 million rubles.

After a missing person report was filed, investigators reconstructed the deceased’s route, reviewed CCTV footage, and interviewed witnesses, leading to the detention of all members of the criminal group.

The court has ordered pre-trial detention for those accused.

Authorities stated that investigative actions are ongoing to gather and consolidate evidence.