Russian police arrest multiple suspects accused of kidnapping and killing a St. Petersburg crypto investor and his wife in the UAE.
Russia’s Interior Ministry announces arrests across several regions on 8 November 2025 of suspects allegedly linked to the October kidnapping and murder of St. Petersburg crypto investor Roman Novak and his wife Anna, who were living in Dubai; footage released by the ministry shows detained suspects and ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk confirms coordinated actions. Novak was previously convicted in 2020 in St. Petersburg of fraud and released early; relatives reported the couple missing after an investor meeting on 2 October.
The Investigative Committee says the group abducted the victims in the UAE to extort cryptocurrency, later killing them, burying their bodies in the desert and disposing of weapons and belongings across UAE locations, with accomplices renting cars and premises; Emirati law enforcement is assisting the ongoing investigation. Russian authorities indicate further prosecutions may follow as evidence is shared with UAE partners and investigations continue under applicable jurisdictions.
🧭 FAQs
• Who were the victims and where were they living? The victims were Roman Novak and his wife Anna, living in Dubai at the time.
• When did the couple disappear and who reported it? They went missing after an investor meeting on 2 October and relatives reported them to St. Petersburg authorities.
• What do investigators allege was the motive for the kidnapping? Investigators allege the kidnapping aimed to extort cryptocurrency from the victims.
• Are UAE authorities involved in the probe and arrests? Yes; Emirati law enforcement is assisting Russian authorities in the ongoing investigation.
