In Nalchik, defendant accused of involvement in Syrian war states he was victim of circumstances

Today, the Nalchik City Court, which considers the case of Murat Nagoev, a resident of the village of Altud, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), accused of involvement in hostilities in Syria, listened to the defendant's last plea. He admitted his guilt in part, saying that he had fallen a victim of circumstances.

According to investigators, in October 2012, Nagoev went to Syria to take part in the warfare, for which he was paid a remuneration of 3000 US dollars.

Apart from Article 359 (dealing with mercenaries), Murat Nagoev is charged with two other articles of the Russian Criminal Code, namely, Article 222 (illegal arms circulation) and Article 228 (illegal purchase, storage, transportation, production and processing of narcotic drugs).

According to his advocate Arthur Bezirov, Nagoev pled guilty of really going to Syria, as he said, "to defend Circassian women and children," but denied receiving any remuneration, as well as the charges of possessing arms and drugs.

The prosecutor asked to sentence him to five years in prison; the sentence will be handed down on November 26.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.