Russian authorities arrested a lawmaker on Wednesday in the midst of a parliamentary session in connection with two contract murders.

The lawmaker, Rauf Arashukov, tried to get away when he became aware that he was about to be arrested, but ultimately surrendered to police, according to The Guardian.

Arashukov was detained in the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

He was charged with murder, tampering with witnesses and being involved in organized crime, the newspaper said.

The speaker of the Federal Assembly banned the press from the parliamentary session, paving the way for a vote to strip Arashukov of his parliamentary immunity.

He pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.

The murders to which Arashukov has been linked were of a presidential aide and a youth politician from Karachay-Cherkessia, the region he represents.

A lawyer representing the victims said that Arashukov could be linked to four murders.

ANOTHER RUSSIAN HIT? MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED FOR EXILE FOUND WITH NECK CRUSHED IN ENGLAND

“He really tried [to run],” the Federation Council speaker, Valentina Matviyenko, told reporters, according to The Guardian. “He tried to get upstairs and out of the session. I told him to sit in his place, because according to current rules, he has the right to speak and give an explanation.”

“He declined the opportunity,” she said. “That is also his right.”