Moscow, May 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A Moscow-based power engineer, who took a loan from his boss, opted to repay him with a crossbow bolt to the back.

Alexei Kopylov, who worked at the Kimpor powder metallurgy plant, used to run a dry cleaning service on the premises as a side business, the investigative committee reported late Tuesday. At some point, Kopylov borrowed an unspecified sum from Kimpor's general director to pay the rent.

On Tuesday, the director, Yevgeny Balai, was found dead in a trench on the plant's premises, slain by a crossbow bolt to his back.

Kopylov was pegged as a suspect the same day. He pleaded guilty upon questioning, saying he wanted to avoid repaying the loan, the committee said.

If charged and convicted of murder, the powerman can end up in jail for up to 15 years.

Crossbows with draw weight (the momentum required for a stone to reach the house or circles at the distant end) under 43 kg-force are sold in Russia without license. Though they are considered not dangerous for humans, they are often modified upon purchase to increase draw weight.