Yesterday, 19 January 2015, the Solnechnogorsky District Court of the Moscow region began examining the criminal case against three investigative officers of the Police Department of the Solnechnogorsky District Stanislav Deikun, Andrey Chernyshev and Vladimir Gordeyev. They are charged with committing crimes under part 4 Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Russia («inflicting grave bodily harm leading to the death by negligence») and items «а, b, c» of part 3 Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Russia («abuse of office using violence, weapons or special equipment, which inflicted grave consequences»). 

Lawyer of the Committee for Prevention of Torture Dmitry Piskounov, who represents the interests of the victim’s brother Ilkhom Alikhonov in court, tells about the first day of the trial: «For 15 minutes of the court session only two motions of the police officers’ lawyers were announced. The first one asked to return the materials of the criminal case to the Prosecutor’s Office to eliminate the inconsistencies.  One of the lawyers drew up the warrant incorrectly – indicated only Article 286 of the Russian Criminal Code, having forgotten to indicate Article 111. He wants to use this as a ground for sending the case for additional investigation. Apparently, he intends to conduct all the investigative activities, which he took part in, all over again. The Prosecutor has not yet voiced her opinion and asked to give her time to draft her position on the matter. It is highly probable that the motion will be dismissed, since otherwise it would lead to absolutely irrational delay of the trial. 

The second motion was related to a request for a closed trial. Unfortunately, it was satisfied. Now the presence of journalists at the court hearings will not be possible, nor the photo and video shooting. The information on the case will be available either through me or through Sergey Babinets via phone (499) 978-30-78 and in the press-office of the Moscow Region Court, contact person Natalya Vladimirovna Osipova, phone (498) 692-61-98 or (498) 692-60-85».

Next meeting is scheduled for 9 February.