Elman Abdullaev, a veteran of the Ukrainian conflict and a native of North Ossetia, failed to obtain a review of his sentence in a fraud case. Following a ruling by a court in Vladikavkaz, the Southern District Military Court upheld his two-year prison sentence on charges of bribery.
According to the case file, Abdullaev, who investigators claim was acting as a "non-staff head of the housing and maintenance service," agreed to facilitate the transfer of another serviceman for 260,000 rubles, despite not having the authority to do so. He was detained by FSB officers.
Abdullaev's defense claims he was the victim of provocation. They argue that the "other person" who initiated the transfer and offered the bribe was acting under the control of law enforcement agencies, and that there are no victims in the case.
After his arrest, Abdullaev attempted suicide and was sent to a psychiatric facility in Vladikavkaz for compulsory treatment. However, despite his status and the diagnosis of "severe psychiatric disorder," the court sentenced him to a prison term and ordered mandatory psychiatric observation.
