MOSCOW, October 18 (RAPSI) – Bolshoi Ballet leading soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko accused of masterminding an acid attack that left Bolshoi Artistic Director Sergei Filin with third degree burns to his face and eyes was beaten after the pre-trial hearing by guards, Izvestia daily reported Thursday citing his lawyer Sergei Kadyrov.

Kadyrov claims that after the hearing was over, three policemen wearing masks took him to the waiting room, and then assaulted Dmitrichenko without any reason. The marks left after the beating were noted by the doctor in the pre-trial detention center where Dmitrichenko is being held.

"I will appeal to the pre-trial detention's administration, as well as the Investigative Committee. A criminal case against the guards has to be initiated. No one should be allowed to beat a man down while he is handcuffed," Sergei Kadyrov added.

Bolshoi Artistic Director suffered third-degree burns to his face and eyes on Jan. 17 when unknown assailants attacked him with what is believed to have been concentrated acid. Shortly after the attack, a Bolshoi Theater spokesperson confirmed that Filin had received various threats.

Filin said the aim of the attack may have been to remove him from his position as artistic director and to destroy the prestigious Moscow ballet company's reputation.

Three men were arrested in March in connection with the attack, including Dmitrichenko, the alleged attacker Yury Zarutsky and driver Andrei Lipatov.

The trial is set for October 22 in Moscow's Meschansky District Court.