The five are suspected of at least 15 killings in attacks carried out in Moscow and its region, sometimes in police uniform. They are also suspected of robberies, extortion, attempted murder and kidnapping.
"The detained are suspected, among other things, of the March 2005 killing of an on-duty police major, and of attacking two Chinese residents in mid-January of last year," prosecutors said.
A Moscow court sanctioned their arrest earlier Thursday, ruling that if they were allowed to remain at large, they could evade the investigation, continue their criminal activities and pressure eyewitnesses and victims.
An investigation source said the policemen, who were detained by the Interior Ministry's internal affairs department, are likely to be arraigned in 10 days.
