Woman doused in petrol and set on fire while working in shop
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was doused with petrol and set on fire in a shop.
The victim suffered 35 per cent burns during the attack, which was captured in graphic CCTV footage posted on Russian social media.
It shows the suspect approaching the 38 year-old woman — who was working in the store in the town of Solikamsk — before pushing her into another room.
Moments later he walks back towards the exit, followed the victim enveloped in flames.
A colleague managed to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher before calling an ambulance shortly before 10pm on Monday.
The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to hospital in the city of Berezniki in a serious condition.
“Doctors at the moment are doing everything to save the life of the victim,” said Oksana Melekhova, head of the health authority for the Perm region.
“Her condition is grave, and she is in intensive care. She is being prepared for evacuation to the burns centre in Perm.”
Federal investigators said they had arrested a 41-year-old resident of Solikamsk on suspicion of “attempted murder committed with particular cruelty”.
“The criminal investigation is ongoing,” the Perm Investigative Committee said in a statement, adding that it was “aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the crime, including the motive.”
