Viktor Sviridov, a former top prison official in Russia, shot himself in the chest on February 12 after serving three years for extortion.

Viktor Sviridov, former head of the transport unit of the Federal Prison Service "committed suicide in the courtroom by shooting it in the chest," Moscow City Court spokesman Uliana Solopova said today in the Russian capital. Officials are investigating how Sviridov brings weapons. Russian courts often have metal detectors and security guards at the entrance.

Sviridov today pleaded guilty to extortion of 10 million rubles ($ 159,000) from the former deputy director of the Federal Prison Agency Alexander Sapozhnikov. The Chertanovo District Court sentenced him to three years in prison before he ended his life.

Alexander Kotelnitsky, Sviridov's lawyer, said the client had terminal cancer and the gun used by the former official was the reward he had received.