Russian Trifonov convicted in Abkhazia for illegal IP-telephony

The Sukhumi Court has sentenced Vladimir Trifonov to three years and five months in a colony-settlement and a fine of 30,000 roubles for the imputed damage caused to the Abkhazian mobile operator. According to his advocate, the convict will be released from custody on October 25; and he is not going to appeal against the verdict.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in 2015, Vladimir Trifonov and Sergey Sigov, citizens of Russia, were accused of a fraud by using the equipment capable to transfer phone calls into IP-based networks in order to reduce the cost thereof. On October 19 this year, Sigov was sentenced to four years in a colony-settlement.

Trifonov was found guilty of causing damage to property by deception or abuse of trust. The exhibits – the technical gadgets used by Trifonov – will be destroyed, while the confiscated Toyota Vitz car will be returned to the convict.

Trifonov, who has been kept in the SIZO (pre-trial prison) for one year and two months, will be released on October 25, 2016, said his advocate Inga Gabelaya.

In Abkhazia, like in Russia, any manipulations in the field of IP-telephony are not prohibited and not criminally punishable, said the advocate. The convict also believes himself to be innocent.

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