Bykov strikes an attitude

Yesterday, in Moscow the first court sitting devoted to Anatoly Bykov’s case took place. For three and a half hours, the 50-page doom was being read. The ex-leader of Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Work, refused to give evidence connected with preparations for attempt at Struganov’s life. In his speech, Bykov only said that he did not admit his guilt and suggested the investigation to prove his guilt. At the sitting, Vilor Struganov, nicknamed Pasha Colour Music also was present. Struganov was permitted to sit without handcuffs, though two workers of Federal Security Service were appointed to look after him. According to RIA ‘Novosti’, Struganov looked depressed, while Bykov behaved self-assuredly as usually… At the meanwhile, judges decided to limit the number of inquisitive persons who came to the court. Only several correspondents of information agencies were permitted to the sitting court. People with posters like “Bykov Must Be in Prison” and “Russia is not the Right Place for Bykov” surrounded the court’s entrance. At the sitting, new materials were attached to the criminal case and it was decided to call new witnesses. Struganov should be interrogated today. The sitting will start at 13.00. Though at first Bykov probably will be questioned spite his yesterday’s promise to keep silence. According to Bykov’s advocate Genrikh Padva, the trial could continue up to end of February. Remember, that Public Prosecutor’s Office of Northwest District of Moscow accuses Bykov of organizing Struganov’s murder. The investigation possesses evidence of Bykov’s ex guard and driver Alexandr Vasilenko who stated that Bykov had ordered him to kill Struganov. Though recently Vasilenko refused from his evidence while saying Struganov himself had blackmailed him. But the court refuses to accept Vasilenko’s latest evidence recorded on a video cassette. According to federal judge Vladimir Nikitin, Vilor Struganov’s rights would be violated in that way. Sergei Yugov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Vera Solovieva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/02/04/36564.html