Russia's anti-corruption prosecutor shot dead

Moscow, Feb 14 (UNI) The chief prosecutor of the Russian Volga region of Saratov, Yevgeny Grigoryev was shot dead by unidentified gunmen last night in a contract-style killing, Russian news agencies reported today.

Grigoryev was killed in the yard of the Saratov prosecutor's office at about 2200 hrs local time yesterday.

''Cartridges from a Makarov pistol were found at the scene. The pistol must have been equipped with a silencer as nobody heard any gunshots,'' RIA Novosti quoted a police officer as saying.

Grigoryev, appointed prosecutor in February 2006, had earlier initiated regional laws to fight corruption.

In 2006 alone, he opened corruption and abuse of office cases against 25 municipal officials and lawmakers.

The latest high-profile probe in the region was directed against the mayor of Saratov, Yury Aksyonenko, accused of abuse of office in granting ownership rights for plots of land.

The investigation into the charges continues, the agency said.

UNI XC SLD MIR KP1835