Mayor of Nalchik to appeal against court decision on his temporary suspension from office

Zalimgeri Khagasov, the Mayor of the city of Nalchik, plans to challenge at the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria the decision to suspend him from office. Now, Zalimgeri Khagasov is officially on the labour vacation.

The Mayor of Nalchik was dismissed on July 24 under suspicion of abuse of office with the damage amounting to more than 14 million roubles. According to investigators, the fraudulent activities were related to illegal provision of land plots for summer cottage construction in Kirov Street. Khagasov is under a threat of up to four years of imprisonment.

Zalimgeri Khagasov himself told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he considered the charges groundless. Moreover, in November 2011 the Investigatory Committee of Kabardino-Balkaria opened a criminal case on the same episode opened against the head of the department of architecture and urban planning. Six months later the case was closed due to lack of crime elements.

At this time, according to his version, the legislation does not prohibit Khagasov to execute his duties, but the Mayor of Nalchik is on his labour vacation. The decision on his temporary dismissal should come into force in 10 days, if the Supreme Court of the Republic does not cancel it.

According to his story, Khagasov intends to appeal against the decision of the City Court on his suspend from office.

No measures to restrict Khagasov's freedom have been decided, because no accusation has been presented, an official representative of the Investigatory Department for Kabardino-Balkaria of the ICRF, who preferred to remain anonymous, has reported.