11 Jan 2013 13:55

Serdyukov refuses to testify, gives his own explanation for Defense Ministry abuses - investigators

MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - Former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has again refused to testify as part of an inquiry into possible fraudulent transactions involving the Defense Ministry's real estate, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Interfax.

"Serdyukov left the Investigative Committee. He retains his status as a witness. He refused to testify in this case, citing Article 51 of the Russian Constitution," Markin said.

The ex-minister prepared a document in advance, offering his own explanation for the sale of the ministry's assets, and asked to add this document to the case files, he said.

Markin, however, did not rule out that Serdyukov's status as a witness could change in the future.