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Russian banker shot dead

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia's top central banker was shot and killed in apparent contract hit in Moscow. First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia Andrei Kozlov was shot several times by two gunmen as he was leaving a stadium after a game of soccer on Wednesday. Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika said the murder may be linked to Mr. Kozlov's job leading the Central Bank's efforts to clean up Russia's murky banking system. The 41-year-old banker had a reputation of an honest and incorruptible official, who led a fight against corruption in the banking industry. He has been responsible for reform of the banking system which is infested with hundreds of small and medium-sized banks set up for only money laundering. Such banks have helped siphon off from Russia between $150 to $300 billion during the chaotic and crime-ridden liberalisation reforms of the former President, Boris Yeltsin.

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