Pshonka: Investigators working on three lines of inquiry on murder of judge and his family

Investigators are working on three major lines of inquiry on the murder of Kharkiv District Court Judge Volodymyr Trofymov and his family, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka has said. 

"These are that the murder was linked to the professional activities of the victim, murder in order to seize the property of the victim, or a contract killing. These are the principle working theories," Pshonka told reporters at a briefing on Sunday after a meeting with a task force that is probing the case.

According to the prosecutor general, 30 forensic examinations will be conducted for this case.

Pshonka noted that according to the available information, this was a premeditated murder.

"This is evidenced by some circumstances that we cannot yet disclose," he said.

The prosecutor general noted that the investigation of the case was being overseen by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

On December 16, the decapitated bodies of Judge Trofymov, his wife, his son and his son's girlfriend were found on Saturday in the judge's flat. A criminal case under Article 115 (premeditated murder) was opened. Investigators are currently establishing the circumstances of the murders.