General Popov's lawyer: the criminal case will be dropped if he distinguishes himself in the Military Military District
The lawyer of the former commander of the 58th Army, Major General Ivan Popov, said that the criminal prosecution of the officer could be dropped if he is allowed prove himself.
According to the defense lawyer, in order to stop the criminal prosecution, Popov must go to the Northern Military District zone and distinguish himself there, receive a state award, writes Kommersant.
Lawyer Dmitry Agranovsky explained that » sending to the SVO in itself is not a basis for exemption from criminal liability,” but the preliminary investigation may be suspended under Part 1 of Art. 28.2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation on the basis of a petition from the command of a military unit. And after this the case can be terminated in accordance with Part 1 of Art. 78.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation — upon receipt of a state award or in connection with the end of hostilities or mobilization announced in 2022.
The lawyer emphasized that the charges brought against his client do not prevent him from being sent to the Northern Military District.
Kommersant writes that lawyer Sergei Buinovsky previously reported that Popov intends to seek a suspension of criminal prosecution and sending him to the SVO.
The investigation accuses Popov of theft during the purchase of more than 1.7 thousand tons of rolled metal for the construction of defensive structures . Popov does not admit guilt.