Shein: errors due to which court in Astrakhan returned the case on beating journalists to prosecutor are favourable for defendant

The procedural errors in the criminal case on the attack of Rifkat Shabanov, Deputy of the Astrakhan Regional Duma, on journalists during the election of the Mayor of Astrakhan on October 11, 2009, could have been made deliberately by inspectors of the Russian ICPO for the Astrakhan Region. This was stated by Oleg Shein, Russian State Duma Deputy. In his opinion, any protraction is beneficial for the defendant.

At the preliminary hearing on December 15 at the Magistrate Court of the Sovietskiy District of Astrakhan, Rifkat Shabanov's advocate petitioned for return of the case to the prosecutor because of "non-removable procedural errors." The Magistrate Court satisfied the petition of the defence.

"The case is resonant. An amazing error was made: the inspector is obliged to acquaint the defendant with the case before transferring materials to the court," Oleg Shein told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "It is nicely known even to those who are not experts in the criminal-procedural law. Although I'm against conspiracy theories, I'd not rule out that this error was made deliberately in order to protect Mr Shabanov of troubles and protract the time."

According to Oleg Shein, this is the way to protract the trial. Moreover, according to the MP, now Shabanov and his helpers receive time to exert pressure on Oleg Teplischev.

Oleg Teplischev, one of the beaten journalists, had stated earlier that he was actively persecuted in the city. Oleg Shein promised to help him.

"I'll send complaints to the bodies of Prosecutor's supervision, which will have to point the drawbacks to inspectors. I hope that relevant entries will be made in the service record of inspector Nikolaev and his manager, for them to be more attentive in the future. The case should be finally brought to the court, and the culprit should be convicted," said Oleg Shein.