MOSCOW, June 2 (RAPSI, Diana Gutsul) - Retired Russian military intelligence colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, who was convicted for attempted instigation of an armed riot, has pleaded not guilty to making public calls for terrorist activity, his lawyer Oksana Mikhalkina told RAPSI on Thursday.

In March, a new criminal case was opened against Kvachkov over public calls for terrorist activities or justifying terrorism. Under Article 205 of Russia’s Criminal Code, he could face up to 7 years in prison.

According to the attorney, Kvachkov has refused to cooperate with investigators.

Kvachkov, who was acquitted of charges in the attempted murder of former UES CEO Anatoly Chubais in 2005, was found guilty on February 8, 2013, of organizing an armed coup and was sentenced to 13 years in prison and one year of custodial restraint.

Later, the Supreme Court mitigated the sentence to eight years in a high security prison.

Kvachkov is thought to have masterminded plans to oust the government with a small group of followers. Kvachkov has denied all charges but during the trial defended “the right of Russian citizens to hold an uprising."

A career military officer, Kvachkov commanded a Special Forces unit in Afghanistan in 1983. In 1984, after sustaining a head injury, he was awarded the prestigious Order of the Red Star and later received the Order of Courage.