MOSCOW, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A senior Central Bank of Russia official responsible for closing corrupt banks died in Moscow early Thursday, hours after being shot by gunmen.
Andrei Kozlov, 41, was a first deputy chairman of the bank and was ambushed in an apparent contract killing as he was leaving a Moscow stadium late Wednesday, the Novosti news agency reported.
His chauffeur was also shot and died at the scene. Kozlov was rushed to a hospital, where he died of head injuries without regaining consciousness, a hospital spokesman said.
The Kommersant newspaper quoted banking sources as saying Kozlov's activities had targeted "gray schemes" used by importers to minimize customs duties and tax payments, as well as by criminal and shadow groups to launder money.
Tributes to his integrity were swift.
"Kozlov frequently damaged the interests of dishonest financiers," Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said. "He was a very courageous and honest man."
