Kazakhstan extradites suspect in Moscow Frenchman murder

Kazakhstan has extradited a suspect wanted in Russia in connection with the slaying of a French wine trader and his family in Moscow in April, Russian investigators said on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan has extradited a suspect wanted in Russia in connection with the slaying of a French wine trader and his family in Moscow in April, Russian investigators said on Wednesday.

Thierry Spinelli, his wife Olga and their two-year-old daughter were found dead in their burnt-out apartment in the center of Moscow on April 20. Investigators said it was a crime involving robbery, murder and arson.

"Escorted by Russian Interpol and penitentiary officials, [Khurshid] Normuradov was extradited to Russia today," the Investigation Committee said.

Uzbek national Normuradov, 24, was hired to renovate an apartment above the Spinellis' flat. Investigators said he was acquainted with the French businessman's family and was aware of their financial standing.

He was put on the international wanted list in May and detained in Kazakhstan later that month. He is believed to have crossed the Russian border with a fake passport and been in Russia illegally. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence.

Investigation Committee official spokesman Vladimir Markin said the probe would continue to identify possible accomplices in the crime.

Investigators earlier reported that the fire had been started in two places in the apartment. Media reports also said it was believed that the woman, whose hands were tied, had been strangled.

Spinelli, Direct Vignobles' general representative of France to Russia, had been working in Russia since 2004.