TOMSK, May 15 - RAPSI. Former Tomsk mayor Alexander Makarov, who has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for official offences, has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, stating that his right to a fair trial had been violated, Makarovs attorney Anna Polozova told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

The Tomsk Regional Court found Makarov guilty of abuse of office and taking bribes and sentenced him to 12 years in jail on November 15, 2010. He was expected to spend around nine years in prison, taking into account the time he spent in the pre-trial detention center and his six-month home arrest. In October 2011 The Supreme Court reduced his sentence by four months.

"We have filed a complaint with the European Court claiming that clause 6 of the European Convention was breached and Makarov's right to a fair trial was violated," Polozova said.