MOSCOW, October 4 (RAPSI) – Ex-head of Russia’s Mari El Republic Leonid Markelov, who stands charged with taking bribes, abuse of office and unlawful possession of weapons, has complained to the Presidential Council of Human Rights about his detention conditions, attorney Igor Trunov has told RAPSI.

Moreover, Markelov has filed a complaint against torture custodial circumstances, health problems and impossibility to communicate with family members with the Prosecutor General’s Office. He has also reported moral pressure put by investigators to extract a confession, according to the lawyer.

The defendant is also going to lodge an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Trunov has added.
Earlier, the Moscow City Court upheld a ruling to extend detention of Markelov and his alleged accomplice, CEO of Telecompany 12 Region Natalya Kozhanova, who stands charged with mediation in bribery, until October 13.

Investigators believe that Markelov has received a 235-million-ruble bribe (about $4 million) from the founder of Akashevskaya factory Nikolay Krivash for patronage and assistance in the property payment of funds provided by the state support for development of the agricultural complex. 

Markelov pleads not guilty to all charges.