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Former Defence Minister refuses to testify at questioning

Serdyukov asks to attach to case his written explanations
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, January 11 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s former Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has again refused to testify in the criminal case of Oboronservis, spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee (SK) Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass on Friday.

“Today, former Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, along with his lawyer timely arrived for questioning to the Main Military Investigation Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia and submitted to the investigator several sheets of paper with his explanations in which he outlined his version of the sale of property of the Defence Ministry. However, the former minister refused to testify verbally, referring to Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which, as you know, gives the citizens the right not to incriminate themselves of their close relatives,” said the SK official.

He explained that every citizen has the right to choose his line in a criminal case. “Serdyukov has chosen this path. It is certainly legitimate, but for the investigation it is at least puzzling,” Markin said.