31 October 16:53
Today the Kirovsky District Court extended the arrest of the ex-State Duma deputy and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Sergei Natarov until February 2026.
During the meeting, lawyer Alexander Khropot pointed out that a violation had been discovered in the case: the preventive measure against Natarov in June 2023 was chosen with the participation of appointed lawyer A. Sambursky, who previously in the same case was the lawyer of the former head of the city of Igarka, Evgeniy Nikitin, whose position is directly opposite to Natarov’s. Natarov announced his recusal in June 2023, but the Igarsky court refused to do so. According to the lawyer, this fact violates paragraph 6 of Art. 49 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation, the right to defense of both defendants and requires the return of the case to the prosecutor in accordance with Art. 237 Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation.
“The prosecutor indicated in her petition that the extension of the arrest is necessary “to make a full, comprehensive decision on the case,” predetermining the outcome of the trial. In addition, according to the prosecutor, Sergei Natarov can put pressure on witnesses, who have all been interrogated. Also, despite Natarov’s III group of disability, the presence of 3 young children, and a disabled mother, he, according to the prosecutor, can escape and continue to engage in criminal activities,” said lawyer Alexander Khropot.
The court ultimately supported the prosecutor. The decision will be appealed by the defense in the Krasnoyarsk Regional Court.
