21:00, 30 December 2008

Kungaev's lawyer protests against release of Budanov

Sviatoslav Markelov, lawyer of Elza Kungaeva's family, has protested against the court ruling to release Yuri Budanov from prison before term. He has sent a complaint to Viacheskav Lebedev, chair of the Russia's Supreme Court, reports the administration of the Chechen Ombudsman to "Interfax".

The "Rossijskaya Gazeta" reports that Markelov has also refuted the fact of compensation of the moral damage to Kungaevs by Budanov.

In particular, he states: "Up till now, the victims or the relatives of the deceased have received no money whatsoever from Budanov. The Kungaevs have learnt about the fact that he intends to compensate for the damage only from the decision of Demitrovgrad court".

Markelov has also noted that the release of Budanov is a direct threat to the life and health of relatives of the murdered girl.

"After the court hearing, the wronged Kungaevs had to leave Russia because of incessant threats. The threats continued even after their emigration. Therefore, being concerned about their security, they are not able to return home", he noted in the complaint.