MOSCOW, August 24 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court will consider appeals against sentence given to defendants in a case over kidnapping of famous pop singer Avraam Russo on August 30, the court’s press service has told RAPSI.

In May, the Presnensky District Court of Moscow found Elyar Damirov and Vladimir Gusakov guilty of the singer’s kidnapping and sentenced them to 5 and 6 years in prison respectively but released from punishment due to the expiry of the criminal prosecution’s limitations period.

The Investigative Committee reported completion of the investigation into a nephew of Russian businessman Telman Ismailov and ex-manager of Moscow's famous Prague Restaurant Zaur Mardanov and ex-driver of the tycoon Vladimir Gusakov in December 2019. Investigation into other alleged accomplices was separated.

Investigators believe that in 2004 Mardanov along with five accomplices kidnapped Russo and brought him to Ismailov’s cottage in Moscow Region to conduct work negotiations. According to case papers, slight injuries were inflicted on the singer’s health.

Ismailov denied involvement in the crime. Currently, he is on the international wanted list. In March 2017, Ismailov was declared bankrupt. In December 2017, he was charged in absentia with murder and illegal arms trafficking.  The businessman could face life imprisonment if convicted. According to investigators, Ismailov organized the murder of businessman Vladimir Savkin and founder of Lublino-Motors auto service centre Yury Brylev in May 2016.