Russia thwarts plot to kill ally of Putin-Ifax

MOSCOW, May 19 (Reuters) Russia has foiled a plot to kill the governor of Russia's second city of St Petersburg who is a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, Interfax news agency reported.

Citing an unidentified law enforcement source, Interfax said late yesterday three people had been detained on suspicion of being involved in the plan to assassinate Valentina Matviyenko.

Their names would not be immediately released. The news agency gave no further details.

Matviyenko, 58, told reporters today she knew people had been detained but said she had no plans to increase security measures.

''I know about this information but I cannot make any comment until the investigation is finished,'' she was quoted by Interfax as saying when asked about the report. ''I feel calm.'' A spokesmen for the police in St Petersburg and the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Moscow declined to comment.

Matviyenko, one of the most influential women in Russian politics, was elected governor of St Petersburg in 2003 and Putin approved a second, five year term in December.

Known for her eye-catching dress sense, Matviyenko has sought to boost St Petersburg's commercial and political importance and recover some of its pre-revolutionary image.

Matviyenko, a former diplomat who was born in what is now Ukraine, has helped Putin, himself a native of St Petersburg, cement Kremlin control over the northern city.

REUTERS AGL HT1502