Frenkel was taken into custody Thursday as a main suspect in the murder of the Central Bank's First Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov September 13. Kozlov, 41, was in charge of bank licensing and closed down VIP Bank over alleged money laundering three months before his killing. Frenkel's lawyer has not confirmed his client's reported affiliation with VIP Bank.
Prosecutors said they would press charges against Frenkel Wednesday, and the banker said he would appeal the court decision to sanction his arrest.
"Of course, I will appeal," he said.
On Friday, the court issued an arrest warrant for another suspect in the case, Liana Askerova, who put the blame on Frenkel during her questioning, Frenkel's lawyer said.
"Askerova is blaming Frenkel, saying he is allegedly involved in the crime," Igor Trunov said, adding that Frenkel, who pled not guilty, insisted on confronting his co-defendant.
"Askerova's questioning is the only evidence the Prosecutor General's Office has," Trunov said.
Askerova's lawyer Yevgeny Martynov said Friday, "Liana Askerova is involved in finance, but is not officially on the staff of any bank."
