12:12, 18 December 2013

Krasnodar: judge replaced at Mikhail Savva's trial – case to be reconsidered

The case of Professor Mikhail Savva, accused of a fraud, will be reconsidered by a court in Krasnodar, since the judge in charge of the trial was replaced, said Elena Savva, the activist's wife, who is also acting as his public defender, adding that the first session was scheduled for December 20.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the professor was detained on April 12 this year; and on November 29, the Pervomaiskiy District Court of Krasnodar ruled to extend his custody till January 30, 2014. On December 4, Mr Savva was transferred into home arrest.

Marina Dubrovina, Mikhail Savva's advocate, has also confirmed the fact that the court will reconsider the case because of the judge replacement.

"The Chairing Judge Vasily Makhov was replaced – because of his sickness – by another Judge – Valentina Popova. According to the Russian Code Criminal Procedure, when the members of the court are replaced, the hearing the criminal case shall be returned to its initial point," said Dubrovina, noting that the trial had reviewed about three quarters of the case.