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Popular singer Vitas cleared of part of charges for presumed drunk driving

The investigation claims that after the incident Vitas escaped from the scene
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, July 18 (Itar-Tass) - The Investigative Committee has dropped part of the criminal charges earlier brought against popular singer Vitas (Vitaly Grachev).

The only crime Vitas is accused presently was the use of violence against a representative of the authorities, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said on Tuesday.

Vitaly Grachev, who assumed a stage name -Vitas, was charged with a crime punished by the Criminal Code for using violence against a representative of the authorities, Markin said.

Vitas has been under an investigation since May 10, 2013 when the singer at the wheel of his car presumably ran over a woman on bicycle on the territory of the Central Exhibition Complex (VVTS) in the northeast of the city.

The investigation claims that after the incident Vitas escaped from the scene. Grachev refused to undergo an alcohol test on the scene. A video tape from the scene of the incident featured Vitas kicking a policeman. The singer also used obscene words against the policemen, which was confirmed by the singer's recorded voice.

The investigators have studied the investigation files, questioned onlookers who had watched the incident, and interrogated Grachev in a confrontation procedure with the woman, who had presumably been run over, and policemen who had been on the scene.

The criminal charge opened against Vitas for causing harm to human health has been dropped as premature and illegitimate, Markin said. Now, the defendant will study the investigation files pending trial.

During the inquest Grachev cooperated with the investigation and fully acknowledged his quilt, Markin added.