Victims' defence insists on new examination in Mirzaev's case

Advocates of Ivan Agafonov's family expect that law enforcement bodies will agree to conduct a new examination in the case of world champion in mixed martial arts Rasul Mirzaev accused of causing death by negligence to Muscovite Ivan Agafonov.

"We are confident that he (Mirzaev) used his martial skills, and we'll prove it at appointment of a new examination," lawyer Oksana Mikhalkina told reporters after the session at the Moscow Zamoskvoretskiy Court.

The victims are also insisting on the return of the earlier charge, when Mirzaev was accused not of causing death by negligence but of intentional infliction of grave bodily harm.

Ms Mikhalkina said that one day before the first hearing Mirzaev brought written apologies, but "only to Agafonov's father and sister, not to his mother", the RIA "Novosti" reports.

The casualty's father, Alexander Agafonov, told reporters that there was no pressure on defendant's relatives; however, there were threats against the witnesses, who were on the day of the tragedy near the nightclub.

The lawyer Alexei Grebenskoy, who represents Mirzaev's interests, commented on the lack of an apology before the mother by saying: "Rasul told me that he wanted to personally apologize to her, not in writing; however, you saw what a mess was at the session; he just wasn't able to insert a word".

The today's court session decided to extend until April 1 Rasul Mirzaev's custody, although earlier he was released on bail of 100,000 roubles and under recognizance not to leave. Besides, the Moscow Zamoskvoretskiy Court returned Mirzaev's case back to the prosecutor's office.

Grebenskoy intends to appeal against the decision to return the case to the prosecutor's office. He plant to reach the Supreme Court with his appeal, because "he does not expect justice from the Moscow City Court", the RAPSI reports.