Famous Russian professor of history Oleg Sokolov was arrested after police discovered two arms of a woman in his backpack.

Saint Petersburg media said Professor Oleg Sokolov, 63, was drunk and fell into the river when he was trying to dispose of suspected human organs. He was later rescued ashore.

Police ransacked Sokolov's house and discovered the intact remains of 24-year-old Anastasia Yeshchenko, with whom he had worked on a number of jobs. Sokolov was arrested on murder charges. He is said to have an affair with Anastasia, his former student, and appears to have murdered her with jealousy since November 7.

Sokolov is the author of many books on Napoleon Bonaparte. He has served as a historical advisor for many films. In 2003, he was awarded the Order of the North Big Boi Tinh by French President Jacques Chirac.

Sokolov is also a member of the French Academy of Social Sciences, Economics and Politics (ISSEP), but the institute in a statement released yesterday said he was stripped of his membership.