Sushchenko studying real evidence, court session set for March

Ukrinform journalist Roman Sushchenko, who is illegally held at Moscow's pre-trial detention center, and his lawyer, Mark Feigin, will examine real evidence in the case on Wednesday, February 21, and preliminary hearings in Moscow City Court will most likely begin in March.

Feygin wrote this on his Facebook page.

"Today, my client, Roman Sushchenko, and I will examine real evidence in the criminal case at the FSB's investigative department. This means that an indictment will be drawn up in the coming days. Then it will go to the prosecutor's office and, after approval, to court. I think that preliminary hearings in the case could be held in Moscow City Court in early March. The whole process will be held behind closed doors," he wrote.

As reported, Ukrinform's correspondent in France, Roman Sushchenko, was detained in violation of international rules on September 30, 2016 in Moscow, where he arrived on a private trip.

On October 7, he was charged with "espionage." Russia's FSB claimed that Sushchenko is a member of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The latter denied this allegation.

On January 24, 2018, Moscow City Court extended the term of Sushchenko's detention in custody for two months - until March 30, 2018. An appeal was filed against this decision.

Earlier, Feygin stated that he and his client would examine real evidence on February 22 or February 26.

op