3 Gang Suspects Shot Dead Trying To Flee Court

 Russian law enforcement officers today killed three suspects on trial over 17 gang murders after they seized guns from their guards and tried to flee a court in the Moscow region, officials said.

Five handcuffed defendants were being escorted in a lift under guard at the court some 20 kilometres (12 miles) north-west of Moscow city, Russia’s Investigative Committee said.

One of the prisoners attacked a guard and attempted to suffocate him. The prisoners were able to free themselves and grab weapons from their escorts, investigators said.  When the lift opened on the third floor of the court building officers from Russia’s national guard began firing on the attackers.