18:00, 30 June 2009

Figurants in "Neva-Express" case state pressure and torture

Maksharip Khidriev, a resident of Ingushetia, accused of taking part in blowing up the "Neva-Express" train, has stated that he was tortured by electroshock during inquiry, and "interrogations took place in the forest and a cellar."

This statement was made by Khidriev today at the Novgorod Regional Court, where the trial took place on the terror act case, and the defendants have refused to plead guilty.

Another defendant - Salanbek Dzakhkiev - has also complained of the pressure on him in the course of investigation. "FSB agents took me out to the forest saying 'Run away!', just to have an escape attempt," he said.

"There're no proofs of my guilt, for a year and a half I'm behind bars for nothing," Mr Dzakhkiev has added.

So far, there is no reaction of ICPO officials to the present statements of Dzakhkiev and Khidriev, as the "Gazeta.Ru" writes.