21:21, 4 December 2013

In Krasnodar, Mikhail Savva placed under home arrest

During his trial under the embezzlement case, Professor Mikhail Savva will be under home arrest, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Let us remind you that Mikhail Savva was detained on April 12; and on November 29 his advocate Marina Dubrovina said that she saw no reason to extend the term of his arrest. However, on that day, the court ruled to extend his arrest till January 30, 2014.

Earlier, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) had stated that Mikhail Savva's prosecution was politically motivated. "Placing a civil activist into custody pending trial, after he began expressing concern about the checks of NGOs, gives reasons to think seriously about the motives for his arrest," said Hugh Williamson, the director of the HRW for Europe and Central Asia.

Mikhail Savva, a Professor at the Kuban State University, is accused of embezzling funds amounting to 360,000 roubles, while running researches funded by a grant. Besides, according to investigators, Mr Savva received payments for classes at the university he never gave. The professor refuses to plead guilty.

Author: Natalya Dorokhina

Source: CK correspondent