Astrakhan journalist Oleg Teplischev to appeals against his sentence

The journalist's defence stated violations in the course of his trial, which resulted in a sentence to 180 hours of corrective work under the charge of beating the local Deputy Rifkat Shabanov; therefore, hi advocates intend to appeal against the verdict.

The trial of Oleg Teplischev took place on April 28; and the court found him guilty of beating Rifkat Shabanov.

The place of serving the punishment has not yet been established. On May 3, as Teplischev himself told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, the court decision would be served to him.

He stated that in spite of his being on a sick leave, operative agents forced him into the courtroom.

At the Sovietskiy ROVD (District Interior Division) of Astrakhan the journalist was shown a statement about his search and told that he would be brought to the court. Oleg Teplischev presented them his open sick leave certificate, but "militiamen paid no attention to it," he said.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has contacted assistant judge Kuzichkina with the aim to receive comments regarding Oleg Teplischev's statements that he had been convicted while being on a sick leave. However, she said that she had no information regarding the hearing on Teplischev's case.