The Russian Orthodox Church has asked a government commission investigating the murder of the last Tsar and his family in 1918, to check whether they were the victim of a worldwide Judaeo-masonic conspiracy. Bishops say they have asked the question in order to put to rest, once and for all, doubts in the mind of many orthodox believers. The critics have accused the church leadership of pandering to anti-semitism. Our Moscow correspondent ROBERT PARSONS reports:

Russian Orthodox Church leaders say they asked the question not because they suspect there's any truth in the Jewish conspiracy theory, but because they want the government to help them put an end to any lingering doubts in the minds of Russian believers. It's an argument that has left many here incredulous.

They point out that by raising the issue at all, at such a high level, the church is granted the theory some credibility. Forensic evidence has also shown beyond doubt that the Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

The issue has drawn attention to the continuing links between the Orthodox Church and hardline nationalist organisations, among whom anti-semitism is widespread. The church leadership has done little to condemn anti-semitism or disassociate itself from the views of its more radical supporters.