Serdyukov's refusal to testify can be regarded as impeding investigation - Markin
MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - Investigators may regard former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov's refusal to give evidence as an attempt to impede the investigation into the case involving embezzlement in the Defense Ministry.
"In this situation, the investigators may regard the former defense minister's actions as an attempt to impede the investigation," Vladimir Markin from the Investigations Committee told Interfax on Friday.
"Every citizen has a right to choose his line of defense in a criminal case. Serdyukov has chosen this way. It is, no doubt, legal, but the investigators are surprised by it to say the least. The former administration of the Defense Ministry has recently promised to do everything to help the investigators determine all circumstances surrounding the criminal activities and establish the range of officials and businessmen involved in the embezzlement of Defense Ministry property," Markin said.
In this situation, the investigators may regard the former defense minister's stance as an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
"If the former defense minister believes he is not involved in the events that have led to this investigation, it would be very logical to answer specific questions that interest the investigators," Markin said.
Markin said Serdyukov refused to answer some questions the investigators asked him. "The investigators have a lot of questions to Serdyukov about the way decisions were made on the sale of Defense Ministry property and why deals were closed on specific prices," Markin said.
