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Russia’s Rostov court sentences 'Amazon gang' to lengthy jail terms for numerous killings

The gang operated in the southern Stavropol and Rostov regions from July 2007 to September 2013, and included Inessa and Victoria Tarverdiyev, Sergey and Anastasia Sinelnik

Sergey Sinelnik (L) and Inessa Tarverdieva (R) Alina Shishova/TASS

Sergey Sinelnik (L) and Inessa Tarverdieva (R)

© Alina Shishova/TASS

ROSTOV-ON-DON, February 13. /TASS/. A Rostov regional court has sentenced members of the so-called Amazon gang to significant prison time for attacks on drivers and police officers, in which at least ten people were killed, TASS reported from the courtroom on Monday.

"The court ruled to find Inessa and Victoria Tarverdiyev, Anastasia and Sergey Sinelnik guilty and finally determine the cumulative sentencing for Inessa and Victoria Tarverdiyev as 25 years in a general regime penal colony each," the judge read out the verdict. Anastasia Sinelnik was sentenced to 24 years in a general regime penal colony, and Sergey Sinelnik - to 25 years in a maximum security prison, the verdict said.

The gang operated in the southern Stavropol and Rostov regions from July 2007 to September 2013, and included Inessa and Victoria Tarverdiyev, Sergey and Anastasia Sinelnik. Among the gang’s crimes was the murder of police officer Dmitry Chudakov, his wife and two children on the Don federal highway in 2009. Overall, the gang committed at least 10 murders.

According to investigators, Inessa Tarverdiyev together with her common-law partner Roman Podkopayev led the gang since 2007. Sergey Sinelnik, a road police inspector, helped cover up evidence of the crimes, identified potential victims and gave their whereabouts, aided in the gang’s escape from crime scenes, and assisted in the sale of stolen goods. He also provided a police radio station to intercept officers' radio conversations. On September 8, 2013, Sergey and Inessa were spotted by police officers after another killing and opened fire on them using handguns. A police officer as well as Podkopayev died of gunshot wounds in the shootout.

Earlier, the court’s press service reported that during the trial, Inessa and Victoria Tariverdiyev fully admitted their guilt in the crimes, while Sergey and Anastasia Sinelnik did not fully acknowledge their culpability.

Sergey and Anastasia Sinelnik told journalists on Monday that they would appeal the sentence.

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