Former Russian officer sentenced for part in Kaspersky kidnapping
Ex-Captain in Kremlin guards handed military porridge
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A former captain in the Russian Federal Security Guard Service* has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after he was convicted of involvement in the kidnapping Ivan Kaspersky, son of Kaspersky Lab founder Eugene, the Moscow Times reports.
Ivan Kaspersky was kidnapped in Moscow April 2011 by a gang who attempted to extort €3m from his parents for his safe return. The plot failed and the then 20 year-old student was recovered five days later without any bloodshed, following a police operation.
Alexei Ustimchuk was arrested along with his alleged partners but tried separately in a military court where he pleaded guilty to preparing the kidnap, buying three cars and numerous mobile phones to set up the failed operation. Pravda adds that defence lawyers argued Ustimchuk did not know the target of the intended kidnapping and supposedly thought it was an attempt to intimidate a debtor. Nonetheless he pleaded guilty to abduction and extortion.
Other suspects in the case are yet to stand trial. ®
Bootnote
*The organisation which provides bodyguards and other security for the Russian President and other high-ranking officials, as well as guard troops for important locations such as the Kremlin. In Soviet times it was part of the KGB.
COMMENTS
Re: Hmmm.
There are churches and churches.
Signing rude words in that particular church is no different than slapping a grass turf mohican on top of Churchill's head as in 2000 and painting blood dripping out of his mouth. Actually, let's correct that it is a bit different due to the time passed). Due to all the religious and dynasty upheavals through the ages Britain does not have an equivalent landmark to St Basil. Canterbury cathedral comes close, but not equivalent so the best comparison would have been screaming obscenities off the altar of the Rheims cathedral as seen by a Frenchman or doing that in the Saint Paul basilica in Rome as seen by an Italian. Or defacing the Washington monument, Arlington or Mt Rushmore as seen by an American.
Any court in any country tends to treat such stunts at significant grade listed historical landmarks (especially ones associated with "national psyche") with little or no leniency. You get the maximum term you can get.
Now the fact that Russia soviet era hooliganism law maximum penalties are a bit insane is a slightly different matter. They were designed to be applied to political cases where the political could not be proven (or for sake of expediency). This is however a different matter from the court applying the law as expected in this particular case (that is the court's job).
By the way, it is quite entertaining how one sided all of the reporting in western media was on that. BBC mentioned the fact that they sang in a listed building only once and in passing and did not give any background on that.
Re: Hmmm.
Quote: The 2.5 years does seem silly - a fine or community service would seem more appropriate.
Did the court in the UK give a fine and community service to the guy who planted the green turf mohican on top of Churchill and red fake blood from his fangs in 2000?
No. He got the _MAXIMUM_ the UK court could give him for a first offense and no prior record ensuring he gets a criminal record too so he is punished for a few decades every time he tries to get a job.
Same story here.
One should not expect to deface what is considered national heritage and associated with the "greatness" (fake or real) of a nation and not get nailed to the full blast of the law. The size of said blast in Russian law is stupid but that is another story.
Court Martial
As this ExOfficer Opted to take his licks in a millitary court and got 41/2 years his time in a military prison is not going to be a walk in the park,he is going to feel like he has done at least double that.
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