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Court refuses to dismiss jury in Russia banker murder case

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MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) - The Moscow City Court has refused to dismiss the jury in the trial of suspects in the 2006 murder of banking regulator Andrei Kozlov, a defense lawyer said on Thursday.

Central Bank Deputy Chairman Andrei Kozlov, who oversaw bank licensing and led efforts to close down dozens of banks, including over money laundering, was shot dead along with his driver in September 2006.

The defense had asked the court to dismiss the jury on the grounds that it was coming under "undue pressure" and was "unable to make an objective and independent judgment in the case."

The court earlier dismissed and replaced two jurors caught consuming alcohol.

The main suspect in the case is former banker Alexei Frenkel. He has been in custody since January 2007. Frenkel, along with restaurant owner Liana Askerova, whose testimony led to his arrest, and Boris Shafrai, a Ukrainian businessman, are accused of organizing the murder.

Another four people have been charged with involvement in the murder. Another suspect is on an international wanted list.

Investigators said Frenkel paid $300,000 for the murder, and that the perpetrators received between $3,000 and $8,500 and the intermediaries over $80,000 each.

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