Kushtov's defence treats proofs of his guilt questionable

When passing the verdict to Magomed Kushtov, the court failed to take into account the testimony of his brother Abukar, who has confessed that it was he who took part in the abduction of the Israeli citizen Laura Lichtman, not Magomed. The evidence, regarded by the court, is doubtful; therefore, the Kushtov's guilt cannot be considered proved, his advocates assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Magomed Kushtov, a 64-year-old Ingush resident, was sentenced on March 24 this year by the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria to six years of imprisonment. According to investigators, he took part in the abduction of Laura Lichtman in 1999.

As the proof of the defendant's guilt, the court used the victim's testimony, who "has confidently identified" Kushtov as the man who had held her in Nazran for a month.

The identification protocol of Magomed Kushtov was drawn up with obvious violations; and everything indicates that the victim had mistakenly identified him as the abductor, said the defence. Abukar, not Magomed, is more fit to Lichtman's description, the advocates are sure.

The court has ignored the testimonies of the defendant's neighbours, who claimed that Kushtov did not stay away from home for a long time, since the witnesses "could not constantly control Kushtov."

According to the advocates, they intend to appeal against the verdict.

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