A DAD who killed his 'paedophile' pal after allegedly seeing footage of him raping his eight-year-old daughter is NOT a murderer, furious locals say.

       The 34-year old factory worker from Russia, has the backing of local residents who believe he was only "protecting" his child.

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       The alleged killer, who is a father to the eight-year-old, 'should walk free' according to locals Credit: East2West 3

       It comes after the body of alleged paedophile Oleg Sviridov, 32, was found near Vintai village in Russia's Samara region Credit: East2West

       The villagers and online commenters have now demanded that the dad, who is police custody, should not face a murder charge.

       One said: "He is not a murderer — he protected his daughter and our children too.

       "Everyone is on his side."

       Prominent TV journalist and former Russian presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak said: "All parents are standing up for the paedophile’s killer."

       Another commenter Anna Plekhanova said: "If the crime is proven by video facts, then is the girl's father wrong?

       "Any normal parent, mother or father, would have torn apart such a paedophile right on the spot.

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       "Protecting children is the direct responsibility of parents."

       Their comments come as the 34-year-old faces charges relating to the murder of Oleg Sviridov, 32.

       Sviridov was a close friend and had babysat his daughter - allegedly sexually abusing her on multiple occasions.

       The pair are believed to have drinking together when the father saw the allegedly horrifying clip on the man’s phone.

       The sickened dad immediately confronted Sviridov, who ran away before he could act.

       All parents are standing up for the paedophile’s killer

       Ksenia Sobchak

       The rapes were soon reported to local police, who launched a manhunt for Sviridov.

       But the distraught father managed to track him down first and allegedly stabbed him to death.

       He claimed that Sviridov "stumbled on the knife during a quarrel" in a forest near their village.

       The father was arrested and the case is under investigation.

       Criminal cases have also been opened into the alleged sexual abuse of three children filmed on Sviridov’s mobile.

       Sviridov’s mother said that her son had often been a babysitter for the accused man's children.

       The two men had been longtime friends, she said.

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       Local police previously launched a manhunt for the alleged paedophile Credit: East2West

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