MOSCOW, July 11 -- The reported suicide of Russia's transport minister hours after he was dismissed by President Vladimir Putin and amid speculation he would be arrested on corruption charges, has shocked the country's elite.

Several hundred mourners, including some ministers and state officials, streamed past the open coffin of Roman Starovoyt yesterday.

He was found dead in his car on Monday, hours after being fired by Putin, with Russian investigators saying he shot himself.

There was a palpable unease as mourners clutched bouquets of red roses at his farewell.

Russian media reported Starovoyt was being investigated for corruption and could have been arrested within days.

Many who came to the ceremony refused to speak to AFP.

"It...