Defence to challenge verdict in case on plotting of bombings in Nalchik
Vladislav Khokhlachev, a resident of Nalchik, who was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment on the charge of plotting a terror act, pleaded not guilty. His advocate has announced the decision to challenge the verdict.
Investigators considered Vladislav Khokhlachev to be a member of the "United Vilayat of Kabarda, Balkaria, and Karachay", a terrorist organization banned in Russia. According to investigators, in 2011, Vladislav Khokhlachev and other members of the terrorist organization manufactured nine bombs which they planned to activate near buildings of the law enforcement bodies in Nalchik on February 23, 2012. The terror act did not take place: half a month before the appointed date, Vladislav Khokhlachev was severely injured in a grenade explosion as a result of careless handling of an explosive device. Vladislav Khokhlachev himself stated the charge had been fabricated. After the incident, he uses a wheelchair. He lost an eye, and he speaks with difficulties. His mother drove him to court.
In addition to 18 years of imprisonment, Vladislav Khokhlachev was sentenced to a restriction of liberty for 1.5 years.
At trial, Vladislav Khokhlachev recalled that he worked as a taxi driver and was not aware of the intentions of a passenger who blew himself up on an explosive device.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 5, 2019 at 03:22 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: CK correspondent