The court in Chechnya sentenced the defendants on the case of preparing an act of terror and assault at law enforcement officers to 9 to 16 years of custody

Five residents of Chechnya accused of committing a number of crimes, including an attempt of blasting a rake transporting oil products and an attempt of assault at policemen were sentenced to 9 to 16 years of custody, law enforcement bodies of the republic informed.

Earlier, the “Caucasian Knot” reported that according to the investigation, Salman Tepishev formed a paramilitary group whose members were his brother Yusu and three more local residents: Islam Zubaev, Magomed Khamzaev and Arthur Sakkaev. At the end of June, 2011, the members of the group laid a homemade radio-controlled landmine at the railroad bed in Naur district. According to Public Prosecutor’s office of Chechnya, on July, 5, 2011, the Tepishevs, Zubaev and Sakkaev decided to remove the bomb and set it in another place but were noticed by the personnel of Naur district Department of Interior Affairs. The members of the group opened fire at the policemen who got wounded, as a result. The case of the residents of Chechnya was referred to court on April, 10, 2012.

The defendants did not acknowledge themselves guilty and declared in court that “during investigation they underwent torture”, relative of one of the defendants told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent. The defendants are going to appeal against the verdict.