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Investigation Committee finalizes inquiry in case vs deputy Bessonov over violence against policeman

On December 2, 2011, in Rostov-on-Don Vladimir Bessonov staged an unauthorized rally of over 100 people

MOSCOW, July 15 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian Investigative Committee has finalized the investigation of the criminal case against State Duma deputy form the Communist Party Vladimir Bessonov accused of the use of violence against a policeman.

“The detectives have gathered a sufficient amount of evidence, therefore, the criminal case was submitted to settle the question of approval of an indictment and its further submission in the court for merit proceedings,” the press service of the Russian Investigative Committee told Itar-Tass on Monday.

The detectives found that on December 2, 2011, in Rostov-on-Don Vladimir Bessonov staged an unauthorized rally of over 100 people on the square in front of the residence of the Russian presidential representative in the Southern Federal District.

“Since the rally was unauthorized, the police demanded stop it. Bessonov together with other organizers of the rally refused to obey to lawful demands of the police. After that, a policeman of a company of the police patrolling service and the deputy chief of the Rostov regional police department attempted to disconnect themselves the sound-amplifying equipment and suppress this way an administrative offence that the organizers and participants in the rally committed, Vladimir Bessonov inflicted bodily injuries to the police and damaged their uniform,” the Investigative Committee noted.

The deputy was charged on two episodes of the crime under Article 318 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code for the use of violence against a law enforcer in the course of the performance of his official duties that envisages up to ten years in prison. He was put on recognizance not to leave the city.

On July 6, 2012, the State Duma satisfied the request from the Russian general prosecutor to strip Bessonov of deputy immunity. As many as 281 deputies voted for the decision and 158 deputies opposed it.

The Russian Supreme Court turned down the appeals of the deputy against the decision to strip him of deputy immunity on November 8, 2012 and January 31, 2013.