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.
The Magas District Court found Nazir Dzeitov, a 31-year-old imam from Malgobek, guilty of illegal weapons possession. He was given a suspended sentence of two years.
Dzeitov was arrested in late July on suspicion of possessing a Makarov pistol and seven rounds of ammunition, which investigators believe were found in his apartment. After his arrest, he reportedly alleged torture and admitted to maintaining contact with Ansar Garkkho, the leader of the Ingush Independence Committee, which is banned in Russia.
According to Dzeitov, he met Garkkho in 2019 in Saudi Arabia, after which they corresponded, with Garkkho asking him for information and money transfers. Garkho claimed that after Dzeitov's arrest, he received messages and calls from his number containing threats and information about torture.