The brother of the head of Ingushetia pleaded not guilty to embezzlement from the Pension Fund

The Cherkessk City Court of Karachay-Cherkessia has begun a hearing in the case of the theft of 519 million rubles from the Russian Pension Fund by an organized crime group. Among the 29 defendants are former heads of the Ingush postal service, Magomed-Bashir Kalimatov (brother of the republic's head, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov) and Kambulat Sukiyev. Both of them, like the other 27 defendants, have pleaded not guilty.

As a reminder, Kalimatov, Sukiyev, Islam Seinaroyev, and the others are charged with creating a criminal organization (Parts 1 and 3 of Article 210 of the Russian Criminal Code) and fraud committed by a group of persons (Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code). They face up to 20 years in prison. Unlike most of the defendants, Ashat Bogatyreva fully admitted her guilt, while Maryam Kuzgova only partially did so. The defense called the charges "vague" and "baseless," while the prosecutor maintains they contain all the necessary details. Hearings in the case will be held twice a week.

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A case seeking to increase the fine for life-sentenced prisoner Rauf Arashukov has been submitted to the court
Society
A case seeking to increase the fine for life-sentenced prisoner Rauf Arashukov has been submitted to the court
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The Orenburg Regional Court has begun hearing the state prosecution's appeal in the 6-million-ruble bribe case involving former senator Rauf Arashukov. The prosecution is seeking to increase the fine for the former official, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, from 120 million to 420 million rubles.

A memorial plaque has been restored for the 20th time near Anna Politkovskaya's home
Human rights
A memorial plaque has been restored for the 20th time near Anna Politkovskaya's home
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In Moscow, activists have restored a memorial plaque for the 20th time on a building associated with Anna Politkovskaya. The original plaque, which had hung for nearly 20 years on the wall of the journalist's home on Lesnaya Street, was first destroyed on January 18. Since then, activists have repeatedly installed temporary plaques, which were quickly destroyed—usually within less than 24 hours.

Georgian authorities have set very low tariffs for oil transportation from Azerbaijan to Armenia
Politics
Georgian authorities have set very low tariffs for oil transportation from Azerbaijan to Armenia
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A Dagestani teenager is facing trial for
Society
A Dagestani teenager is facing trial for "justifying terrorism."
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In Dagestan, a teenager is facing trial on charges of promoting terrorism. The criminal investigation against the minor has been completed. He is charged with publicly justifying terrorism (Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code), which carries a prison sentence of up to seven years.