Investigators prevent Belykh being held in remand prison on bribery accusations from getting married - lawyers
MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - Investigators are creating obstacles to a marriage, which former Kyiv governor Nikita Belykh accused of bribery intends to register while he is being kept in a remand prison, Belykh's defense team said.
"Unfortunately, the marriage is still not registered, and this is caused by the stance of investigators. They are giving vague responses to numerous requests for registration of the marriage, a response seemingly exists, but it is as though missing," lawyer Andrei Denisov said at a press conference.
Another participant in the press conference, lawyer Andrei Grokhotov, in turn, said that investigators are still not giving Belykh's bride Yekaterina Reyfert a permit to visit the remand prison for the purpose of registering the marriage.
"Two people need to be in the same place with a relevant application and passports for the wedding to happen. We have Belykh's stated wish and we need to coordinate with an employee of the civil registry office, but the investigator won't allow Yekaterina to visit the remand prison," he said.
Grokhotov also said that the investigator does not allow Belykh's mother to visit him.
"We send requests occasionally but receive unfounded refusal," he said.
Lawyer also said that Belykh's health condition is worsening.
"Belykh has gained 20kg, which shows issues of the endocrine system, he has type 2 diabetes. He does not go for walks and lies on his cot most of the time," Grokhotov said.
Belykh's bride Reyfert, in turn, said that she has no means of communication with her fiance.
"All my requests to the Investigative Committees and replies are getting lost," she said.