Moscow: Rasul Mirzaev's advocate appeals against his client's arrest

The defence of Rasul Mirzaev, a native of Dagestan and the world champion in mixed martial arts, accused of beating to death the 19-year-old student Ivan Agafonov in Moscow, asks to release him from custody, said the fighter's advocate Igor Dergachov.

"Today, we've lodged a cassation complaint to the Moscow City Court against the decision of the Zamoskvoretskiy Court to put Mirzaev behind bars," said Dergachov, adding that in his complaint he asked to cancel the decision of the first instance and reconsider the case.

According to the advocate, the date of reconsideration was not appointed, the Russian Agency of Legal and Judicial Information (RAPSI) reports.

According to Igor Dergachov, the defence possesses evidences of eyewitnesses and video records, which show that the punch was applied not to murder, but for self-defence – as an act of defence after Agafonov had abused "the honour and dignity" of the Caucasian, the NEWSru.com writes.

Igor Trunov, the advocate of the Agafonov family, is sure that true Mirzaev was rightfully charged. "Even if someone has insulted you, it doesn't mean that you should beat him," he said.