Moscow, Russia - A RUSSIAN Orthodox priest and his three children were burnt alive in their home in what could be a case of arson to stop his efforts to combat alcohol abuse.
Police have opened an investigation into the death of Andrei Nikolayev and his children at his home on Saturday in a village outside Moscow.
"At the time of the fire, presumably, Andrei Nikolayev himself, his wife Oksana and three young children were in the house," prosecutors were quoted as saying.
Police found the remains of the priest and his children but the fate of his wife remained unknown.
Village residents and church representatives were quoted as saying Mr Nikolayev may have been killed for trying to stop alcohol abuse in the village.
Some said alcoholics have stolen icons and other religious objects from Mr Nikolayev's church and then sold them to buy drink.