Defendants accused of plotting terror act in Rostov-on-Don refuse to plead guilty

Today, the North-Caucasian District Military Court has begun considering the case on the preparation of a terror act in central Rostov-on-Don. The defendants – Maxim Smyshlyaev, a resident of Rostov-on-Don, and Arthur Panov, a citizen of Ukraine, refused to plead guilty. Besides, Panov put forward a petition demanding to recognize him a prisoner of war.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Arthur Panov, who came to Rostov-on-Don from Ukraine in November 2015, was detained on December 5, 2015. He was charged with preparing a terror act. Maxim Smyshlyaev, a student from Rostov-on-Don, is accused of aiding in preparing the terror act; he is in custody since April 22, 2016. On September 23, 2016, the HRC "Memorial" declared Smyshlyaev to be a political prisoner.

At the today's session of the above Military Court, Arthur Panov and Maxim Smyshlyaev refused to plead guilty, the TASS reports, citing both defendants.

Besides, Arthur Panov filed a motion asking to recognize him a prisoner of war.

"I demand my trial to be transferred to Moscow, because, for a number of reasons, the consideration of my case by the North-Caucasus District Military Court can’t be objective. Furthermore, on the basis of the Geneva Convention, I ask to recognize me a prisoner of war," said Arthur Panov.

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