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Russia professor arrested after woman's arms found in bag Russia professor admits murder after woman's arms found in bag
(about 1 hour later)
Police in St Petersburg have arrested a well-known Russian historian on suspicion of murder after he was found in a river with a backpack containing a woman's arms. A well-known Russian historian has confessed to murdering his lover - a former student - his lawyer says, after he was found in a river with a backpack containing a woman's arms.
Oleg Sokolov was drunk and fell into the river as he tried to dispose of body parts, local media said. Oleg Sokolov, 63, was drunk and fell into the river as he tried to dispose of body parts, local media said.
Police then reportedly went to his home, where they found the decapitated body of a 24-year-old former student. Police then found the decapitated body of Anastasia Yeshchenko, 24, at his home.
Prof Sokolov is a Napoleon expert who has received France's Légion d'Honneur.Prof Sokolov is a Napoleon expert who has received France's Légion d'Honneur.
His victim is reported to be Anastasia Yeshchenko, with whom Prof Sokolov had co-written a number of works. "He has admitted his guilt," his lawyer Alexander Pochuyev told AFP, adding that he regretted what he had done and was now cooperating.
A police statement said a 63-year-old man had been rescued from the Moika river and arrested on suspicion of murder. Officials confirmed to AFP that it was Prof Sokolov. Prof Sokolov reportedly told police that he killed his lover during an argument and then sawed off her head, arms and legs.
The historian has written several books on Napoleon and also acted as a historical consultant on several films. He is said to have planned to get rid of the body before publicly committing suicide dressed as Napoleon.
Mr Pochuyev said Prof Sokolov - who has been receiving hospital treatment for hypothermia - may have been under stress.
The historian has written several books on Napoleon and also acted as a historical consultant on several films. He and Ms Yeshchenko had co-authored several works.
Both he and Ms Yeshchenko studied French history and enjoyed wearing period costumes, with Prof Sokolov dressing up as Napoleon.
Students described him as both a talented lecturer who spoke French and did impressions of Napoleon and as a "freak" who called his lover "Josephine" and asked to be addressed as "Sire", AFP reported.
He was also a member of France's Institute of Social Science, Economics and Politics (Issep), which on Saturday said it had removed him from his position on its scientific committee.He was also a member of France's Institute of Social Science, Economics and Politics (Issep), which on Saturday said it had removed him from his position on its scientific committee.
"We learn with horror... the atrocious crime of which Oleg Sokolov is guilty," it said in a statement."We learn with horror... the atrocious crime of which Oleg Sokolov is guilty," it said in a statement.
"We could never imagine that he could commit such an odious act," the statement added."We could never imagine that he could commit such an odious act," the statement added.
Issep was founded by Marion Maréchal, the niece of far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen and a former lawmaker for the far-right National Front party.Issep was founded by Marion Maréchal, the niece of far-right National Rally party leader Marine Le Pen and a former lawmaker for the far-right National Front party.