MOSCOW, November 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russian police have detained a suspect in the October murder of two Jesuit priests in central Moscow, a spokeswoman for Moscow's investigation department said Thursday.

Otto Messmer, who headed the Russian Independent Region of the Society of Jesus, and Colombian priest Victor Betancourt, were found dead in their apartment on Ulitsa Petrovka with severe bodily injuries.

Police have detained a resident of the Tver Region in central Russia. Investigators believe the man, whose name has not been released, killed Betancourt during an argument and then murdered Messmer to conceal the crime.

"The man has already confessed and investigations are continuing," Viktoria Tsyplenkova said.

The suspect was due to be taken to the crime scene on Thursday and take part in a police lineup.