Vladislav Zhuravlyov, accused ex-Deputy Mayor of Novocherkassk, denies all accusations of inciting ethnic hatred

At trial on the criminal case against Vladislav Zhuravlyov, ex-Deputy Mayor of Novocherkassk, a witness was questioned. He has stated that in 2010, at the gathering of the Cossack village of Srednyaya, Vladislav Zhuravlyov called on residents to international hostility.

Let us remind you that Vladislav Zhuravlyov, ex-Deputy Mayor of Novocherkassk, was charged of inciting ethnic hatred because of his statements about the national Diasporas in the Rostov Region made at the gathering of the Cossack village of Srednyaya held on June 16, 2010. Vladislav Zhuravlyov denies making such statements. A number of experts believe that the case is of political nature.

Andrei Kragozov, a prosecution witness, a Cossack from Srednyaya village, was the first one who delivered speech at the court session held on September 5. He told the court that the defendant wanted to raise the Cossacks against ethnic Diasporas. Meanwhile, witness Andrei Kragozov found it difficult to say what exactly Vladislav Zhuravlyov said and to what he called on the Cossacks.

Vladislav Zhuravlyov, the very defendant, told the court that the statements of nationalist nature really took place at the considered gathering; however, those statements were made not by him but by some persons who delivered their speeches from the floor. "However, the statements have been attributed to me. And this fact explains the sufficient number of prosecution witnesses who are convinced that some statements of nationalist nature were voiced at the gathering and who, however, cannot remember those statements," Vladislav Zhuravlyov has concluded.

The next court session is scheduled for September 12.