In Astrakhan, defence of one of six convicts for recruiting militants appeals against verdict

The advocate of Murat Zakharyaev, who was convicted in Astrakhan along with five other figurants in the case related to recruitment of militants for taking part in warfare in Syria, Egypt and Northern Caucasus, has appealed against his client's verdict. The appeal will be considered by the Astrakhan Regional Court.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the above six persons were accused of promoting terrorism, arms trafficking and inciting enmity or hatred. According to investigators, since the summer of 2012 until April 2013 they recruited people in the region for participating in illegal armed formations (IAFs) that operate in the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD) and in the Middle East. On September 22, the Sovietskiy District Court of Astrakhan sentenced them to 6-7 years in prison.

On October 6, it became known that the defence of Murat Zakharyaev, who was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison, filed an appeal, the ITAR-TASS has reported with reference to the press service of the Sovietskiy District Court of Astrakhan. The appeal will be considered by the Astrakhan Regional Court.

Murat Zakharyaev, along with Rizabek Mashtakov, were also found guilty under Part 1, Article 222, of the Russian Criminal Code (illegal possession of explosives), says the website of the Prosecutor's Office of the Astrakhan Region.