22:00, 10 November 2010

A driver who has knocked down journalist Bella Ksalova to death in Karachaevo-Cherkesia sentenced to 3,3 years of prison

A court in Karachaevo-Cherkesia has pronounced a sentence on a driver who had knocked down to death Bella Ksalova, reporter of "Caucasian Knot". Arsen Abaikhanov will spend three years and three months in a penal colony settlement. Abaikhanov has acknowledged his guilt entirely saying he was ready for punishment for what he had done.

The trial began a little bit late and lasted about an hour and a half. Bella Ksalova's relatives and the defendant's friends were present. The attorney who at the first session asked to impose on his client a minimal penalty of half a year imprisonment conditionally with a deferment of punishment was absent at today's session.

The lost journalist's parents are not going to appeal against the judgment. "I am not so bloodthirsty, the journalist's father Boris Fedorovich Ksalov said. - Abaikhanov has a baby. We do not want any more red tape. We cannot revive our little Bella in this way".

Author: Elena Khrustaleva

Source: CK correspondent