Russia's law enforcement bodies in 2009 curtailed the activities of four organized crime groups responsible for a total of 90 murders, the country's top investigator said.

The crime groups totaled "over 46 people", Alexander Bastrykin said in an interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta government paper to be published on Wednesday.

"They committed 90 murders, attempted murders and other crimes inspired by racial hatred," he added.

In 2009, the Russian security forces prevented over 80 terrorist attacks and neutralized more than 500 militants in the country's volatile North Caucasus.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in late January that the country's security forces would "continue systematic work to neutralize criminal groups, their leaders and people who carry out terrorist attacks."

MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti)