A 42-year-old ethnic Greek from the former Soviet Union, who was shot more than 25 times with a machine gun outside his home on the outskirts of Thessaloniki early yesterday, had been implicated in murder investigations in Russia, police have said.

The man, who was not named, had been getting out of his car in the suburb of Oraiokastro when he was attacked by one or more assailants who shot him at close range in the head and chest in a Mafia-style hit, officers said.

According to police, the victim was known to Russian police, who have investigated his alleged involvement in a series of murders.

The 42-year-old also formed part of a criminal ring trading in stolen cars that was recently disbanded by Athens police. He had been living in Oraiokastro with his son, according to officers who said that his wife and second son live in Russia.