Journalist Tsagoev, accused of assault related to robbery in KBR, refuses to plead guilty

On August 12, the Nalchik City Court began hearing the criminal case of journalist Igor Tsagoev, charged with an aggravated assault. The defendant refused to plead guilty.

Let us remind you that on May 10 it was reported that the police of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) detained journalist Igor Tsagoev on suspicion of a robbery, committed 13 years ago.

The court session read out the indictment, which stated, in particular, that on January 13, 2000, Igor Tsagoev "intentionally, out of a lucrative impulse" entered the apartment of the victim, struck her on her head with a pistol handle and stole 1950 US dollars from her.

The defendant's version looks as follows: the then Tsagoev's girlfriend Lena complained to him that a certain Khasan molested her. Learning where Khasan lived, Tsagoev went to see him. Khasan's wife opened the door and said that he was not at home. Tsagoev asked for a pen to write a note. When she read the note, she became angry and stated that it could not be true.

"Then I said that I would wait for Khasan and took out a lighter to light a cigarette. The lighter had the shape of a pistol. The woman screamed and ran out to the staircase platform," said Tsagoev. According to his story, he ran after her and dragged her back into the apartment. They had a fight; and he struck on the head with the cigarette lighter.

The defendant asserts that he did not take any money from her. Tsagoev also drew the court's attention to the contradictions in the testimony of the victim that she gave 13 years ago and now.

The next session is scheduled for August 19.