"Today, there are two versions - Mr. Kravchenko either committed a suicide or he was killed to cut off links to those who ordered [the murder of Mr. Gongadze]," said Mr. Markov.
Mr. Markov believes the ex-minister's death proves that the then authorities had a part in the murder. "The senior authorities knew about the murder, and the fact the case was never solved testifies to the regime's extreme corruption," said the expert.
Mr. Markov suggested investigation could now be opened against ex-President Leonid Kuchma.
"We will witness the current authorities try to investigate into Kuchma's part in the murder," said the political scientist. He believes a lot of officials in the incumbent Ukrainian president's administration "hate" Mr. Kuchma.
"Everybody will jump at the chance to do away with Kuchma. Regretfully, in the circumstances, there will be nobody to protect Kuchma if accusations against him are too repulsive," said the expert.
Mr. Kravchenko was found dead at his dacha near Kiev. One of the avenues of inquiry goes that he committed a suicide.
