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Judge refuses to withdraw from trial of Bolotnaya riot case

The investigator said the defendants had called for mass disturbances in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, and actively participated in them
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, June 6 (Itar-Tass) - Judge Natalia Nikishina on Thursday refused to withdraw from the trial of the case over riots in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, lawyer Dmitry Agranovsky told Itar-Tass.

Earlier, defendant Sergei Krivov attempted to recuse Nikishina on suspicion that she had personal interest in the outcome of the case. After reviewing the recusal request, the judge turned it down as unsubstantiated.

Lawyer Vadim Klyuvgant lodged a petition to return the case to prosecutors to eliminate a number of faults and procedural violations. Other participants in the trial supported his petition.

The investigator said the defendants had called for mass disturbances in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012, and actively participated in them. They accompanied their actions by the destruction of property and violence against police.

Eighty-two police were injured, and the damage to federal and municipal organizations exceeded 28 million roubles.

On November 9, 2012, the Zamoskvorechye court sentenced Maxim Luzyanin, a participant in the riot, to four years and six months in prison. Luzyanin had pleaded guilty and signed a plea bargain agreement.

Police are continuing the investigation into the case against suspected masterminds behind the riot - Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov, his aide Leonid Razvozzhayev and their suspected sponsor - Georgian politician Givi Targamadze.