21:00, 27 May 2013

In Stavropol, at trial of Bestuzhy, defence states his torture

Igor Bestuzhy. Photo: courtesy of Stavropol city administration

The confessions of Igor Bestuzhy, the former administration head and city manager of Stavropol, were obtained by torture, his advocate Inna Denisova said today at a preliminary court hearing.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Igor Bestuzhy was detained on February 2, 2012, on suspicion of attempting to receive a bribe of 50 million roubles. In April 2012, a criminal case was opened against him for taking a bribe of 1.8 million roubles and illegal arms circulation.

Today, Igor Bestuzhy made a statement about the use of torture and enforcement to testify; and that his enforced evidence was treated as a confession. The defence has filed a motion asking to treat this confession as inadmissible evidence.

His advocates are going to file other motions.

"We intend to continue claiming the falsification, since the case materials abound in such facts," the RIA "Novosti" quotes the lawyer Inna Denisova today.