14 October 2011, 18:00
Union of Soldiers' Mothers denies soldier Popov's confession of desertion
The former regular soldier Andrei Popov, who claimed that he had been in captivity in Dagestan during 11 years, did not sign a confession of desertion. This was stated by the Saratov Union of Soldiers' Mothers.
"The information that Andrei Popov confessed to desertion is false and it was circulated to provide additional pressure on Andrei' relatives and on himself," the IA "Version-Saratov" quotes Lydia Sviridova, the chair of the Saratov Union of Soldiers' Mothers, as saying.
"During 3 weeks already, Popov has been under examination in the mental hospital in Saratov by order of the investigator. At this time, any investigatory actions with his participation are prohibited," Lydia Sviridova added.
She also stated that the decision on the psychiatric examination was "unlawful" and that Andrei Popov stayed at the hospital "involuntary". According to Lydia Sviridova, ex-soldier could "confess under the influence of strong psychotropic drugs".
"Andrei himself and his lawyer deny the confession. On October 13 the appropriate appeal on the facts with demand of inspection will be submitted to the military prosecutor's office," said Lydia Sviridova.
Svetlana, a soldier's sister-in-law, also denied the information about "the confession". "This cannot be true. Andrei gave no confessions to investigators," the "Saratovnews" quotes Popov's female relative as saying.
