Arashukov complains of being kept in cell with terrorist

Russian senator from the Karachay-Circassian Region Rauf Arashukov, who was arrested on murder charges, among others, has complained of being placed in a cell with an inmate serving a 17-year sentence on terrorism charges.

In response to Arashukov’s complaint, the prosecutor said the man is now "closer to the people."

Today, Moscow’s City Court considered a motion from Arashukov’s defense lawyers challenging his arrest and ruled to uphold the first instance court’s decision.

Senator from the Karachay-Circassian Region Rauf Arashukov on January 30 was stripped of immunity and detained right at the session of the Federation Council. This was the first such case in the history of Russia’s upper house. He was charged with murder, as well as participating in a criminal group and exerting pressure on a witness.

The senator’s father, Raul Arashukov, and a number of other people were arrested on suspicion of organizing a criminal group and embezzling gas from Russia’s gas giant Gazprom.