25 dead in Leningrad region from methanol-laced bootleg alcohol

At least 25 people have died this month in Russia’s Leningrad region after consuming bootleg alcohol that investigators say contained lethal levels of methanol, the country’s main investigative body said Saturday. The deaths were recorded in September in villages near the Estonian border, authorities said, and several people have been detained as criminal inquiries proceed.

Forensic examinations found high or lethal concentrations of methanol in six additional bodies delivered between Sept. 10 and 17 from the Volosovsky district, the Investigative Committee said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 25. Regional officials and police had earlier reported lower figures as tests were under way; the Leningrad regional administration said 19 deaths had been registered in the southwest Slantsevsky district, while an Interior Ministry statement initially cited seven fatalities and several people hospitalized.

Police and prosecutors have detained multiple suspects in connection with the distribution and production of the counterfeit spirit. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Major General Irina Volk said a resident of the town of Gostitsy was detained on suspicion of selling a liquid...