MOSCOW, August 28 (RAPSI) – Law enforcement authorities have opened a criminal case on the murder of Deputy Commander of the Sever (North) Battalion Musa Ayubov and his wife in Chechnya, RIA Novosti reported, citing a statement on the Investigative Committee’s website.

Ayubov and his spouse were found dead in a hostel in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, on Thursday. Investigators suspect Idris Ayubov, the nephew of a murdered man who also serves in the Sever Battalion, of killing Musa Ayubov and his wife and stealing his weapons. He reportedly killed Musa because his uncle learned about his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

“Considering the evidence in the case, investigators plan to charge Idris Ayubov with murder and weapon theft and will request an arrest warrant for him at the Grozny Garrison Military Court,” the Investigative Committee statement says.

Sever Battalion is a special operations military unit in Chechnya.