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Verdict on terrorist acts in Minsk, Vitebsk to be passd on Nov 30

The lawyers took the floor, then one of the injured party and one of the defendants, Vladislav Kovalyov

MINSK, November 15 (Itar-Tass) —— The verdict on the case of the terrorist acts in the Belarussian capital and in Vitebsk will be passed on November 30.

“It is planned to pass the verdict on November 30,” said the judge at the resounding trial in Minsk on Tuesday.

The lawyers took the floor, then one of the injured party and one of the defendants, Vladislav Kovalyov. The main defendant, Dmitry Konovalov, refused from the last plea. His accomplice Vladislav Kovalyov pleaded not guilty of the terrorist acts.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I feel sorry regarding Dima, as l showed weakness and testified against him in the preliminary investigation,” Kovalyov said. He said he had testified under duress. “However, I gave fair testimonies in court and at least in some measure lessened my guilt,” Kovalyov said.

Konovalov, the main defendant, is charged with more than 30 episodes of criminal activity, including four terrorist acts.

He is also accused of staging the explosions in Vitebsk in 2005 and in Minsk in 2008. Kovalyov is charged with over 15 episodes of criminal activity.

Fifteen people were killed and more than 200 others, among them three Russian citizens, were wounded in the blast at the rush hour at the Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk in April 2011.

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