Resident of Pyatigorsk tried twice to commit suicide in Cherkessk SIZO in protest against incriminated sexual abuse

A resident of Pyatigorsk, accused of a sexual assault against a minor, was on a hunger strike in SIZO (pre-trial prison) of the city of Cherkessk for 11 days. His protest action was announced on July 2 after he attempted to commit suicide right at the Supreme Court of Karachay-Cherkessia, where his criminal case was considered.

The 28-year-old resident of Pyatigorsk was detained on July 8, 2013. According to investigators, in July 2013 he illegally broke into the room of a young girl, where she lived with her relatives in Cherkessk, and committed a sexual assault on her.

According to investigators, the defendant had been earlier convicted for a rape.

The conducted psychological and psychiatric examination failed to reveal any psychological disorders in the defendant. It was also noted that under "the pressure of irrefutable evidence, the culprit gave a confession."

Karina Avakyan, his public defender, has reported that the defendant insists on being visited by the Republic's Prosecutor, as he sees a number of violations admitted by the officials of the Republic's Prosecutor's Office, who act as the state prosecution party at the trial.

According Avakyan, at the moment her client has stopped the hunger strike, but his health condition is unsatisfactory.