Sochi police demand to bring builder Demerchyan to liability for slander

The Sochi police have sent an application to the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) asking to bring the builder Mardiros Demerchyan, who had claimed being tortured at the police station of the village of Blinovo, to liability for slander.

"On June 16, 2013, some media posted information that policemen beat Mardiros Demerchyan at the police station of Blinovo... In the course of a service check, the administrative detainees who were around Demerchyan at the police station were questioned and explained that he did not complain of any physical abuse by policemen. Policemen questioned the medics who had examined Demerchyan and found no traces of physical abuse on his body," says the statement posted on June 29 on the official website of the UVD (Interior Department) of Sochi.

"It can be concluded from press releases that the police, and their bosses, in particular, are very scared," Alexander Boichenko, the builder's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, the reason for the publications with an obvious attempt to compromise Demerchyan may be an intention to conceal the crimes.

Demerchyan himself may appeal to the ICRF against the police for defamation and dissemination of information that tarnishes his honour and dignity, said Alexander Boichenko.