One of Russia's top criminal judges has been murdered in the capital, Moscow.

Eduard Chuvashov had presided over several high-profile trials, including the sentencing of some of Russia's most notorious neo-Nazis.

According to one of Russia's main news agencies, a security camera recorded the moment the gunman entered the apartment building and opened fire.

The judge had just come out of his apartment.

Mr Chuvashov is reported to have died instantly after being hit in the head and chest.

The gunman, who managed to escape, is reported to have been in his 20s and of Slavic appearance.

Officials have been quoted as saying this was probably a contract killing connected to the judge's work.

Local media said Mr Chuvashov was the judge who sentenced 12 ultra-nationalists from the Russian fascist group known as the "White Wolves" in February.

Mostly teenagers, the group were found guilty of a string of brutal murders against dark-skinned migrants from Central Asian countries, many of whom had been bludgeoned to death.

- BBC/Reuters