tockholm  - The European Union has demanded a probe into the recent murders of a leading human rights activist and her husband in Chechyna and urged that Russian authorities protect human rights activists.

Sweden, the current president of the 27-nation bloc, issued a statement late Wednesday condemning the murders of Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband Alik Dzhabrailov.

Their bodies were found Tuesday, the day after they were reportedly abducted from their office. The two headed the non-governmental organization Let's Save the Generation, a charity that helps young people in the southern Russian republic.

"It is important that an investigation into these latest murders is conducted promptly, transparently and thoroughly. The perpetrators must be brought to justice," the EU statement said.

Russian authorities were also urged to "do everything in their power to ensure the protection of human rights defenders."

The EU statement reminded of other activists killed in Russia including Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, Stanislav Markelov in January 2009 and Natalya Estemirova last month. (dpa)