Relatives of bodyguards of President of South Ossetia, killed in Vladikavkaz, intend to challenge court decision

Relatives of the state bodyguards of ex-South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity, perished in the nightclub "Retro", do not agree with the sentence to Albert Tsgoev, accused of the murder, and intend to challenge it. This was announced by the sister of deceased Oleg Ikaev.

On February 28, 12 jurors unanimously found the defendant Albert Tsgoev guilty of the crime. At the same time, the jury found him deserving of leniency. Today, the Supreme Court of North Ossetia sentenced Albert Tsgoev to 2.5 years of imprisonment at a colony of settlement. The term of sentence to Albert Tsgoev will be dated from May 20, 2011, when he surrendered to the police.

Only the closest relatives of the defendant were allowed to enter the courtroom at the sentencing. The victim party was not allowed to attend the court session, since at the court session, held on March 13, the judge removed the sister of deceased Oleg Ikaev from the courtroom because of her emotional statements against the defendant. Then, after her, all representatives of the victim party left the courtroom, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

During the sentencing, relatives of the victims stood in the street near the court building. Having learned the final decision, they stated that they did not agree with the court's verdict and would challenge it.

"We with my client will examine a copy of the verdict and solve the question of whether to file an appeal or not; however, in general, I am satisfied with the court's decision," said Timur Tkhostov, the lawyer of Albert Tsgoev after the sentencing.