MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - A criminal case has been opened over the eavesdropping of telephone conversations of opposition activist Boris Nemtsov and the posting of their transcript on the Life News website.
"An investigator called me 40 minutes ago and said that he has opened a criminal case under Article 138 part one - unlawful eavesdropping and publication of telephone talks," Nemtsov told Interfax on Tuesday.
"I am very hopeful that those who made these talks public will stand trial and get the punishment they deserve. They are facing up to four years," he added.
A criminal inquiry has been launched into the tapping of Nemtsov's phone conversations on charges of violating the secrecy of correspondence and telephone conversations, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Interfax, without giving further details.
On December 19, 2011, Life News published what it presented as Nemtsov's telephone conversations with his opposition colleagues, in which they discussed preparations for a rally on Bolotnaya Square.
Nemtsov acknowledged that these records were partly authentic and partly doctored, called the publication an attempt to split the opposition and disrupt a rally on December 24, apologized to his colleagues for some unflattering remarks, and filed a motion with the Investigative Committee, demanding that a criminal case be opened against the website for "illegal tapping."
Ashot Gabrelyanov, the executive director of the News Media holding, which incorporates Life News, told Interfax: "He can demand the initiation of a criminal case or go to court - we are accustomed to all kinds of litigation."
"However, we have proven to be better businessmen than Nemtsov, as we have made more money on him than he on us," Gabrelyanov added.
The Investigative Committee launched its probe on December 21.
Keywords: Russia, Government, Politics - Russia News - Russia
MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - A criminal case has been opened over the eavesdropping of telephone conversations of opposition activist Boris Nemtsov and the posting of their transcript on the Life News website.
"An investigator called me 40 minutes ago and said that he has opened a criminal case under Article 138 part one - unlawful eavesdropping and publication of telephone talks," Nemtsov told Interfax on Tuesday.
"I am very hopeful that those who made these talks public will stand trial and get the punishment they deserve. They are facing up to four years," he added.
A criminal inquiry has been launched into the tapping of Nemtsov's phone conversations on charges of violating the secrecy of correspondence and telephone conversations, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Interfax, without giving further details.
On December 19, 2011, Life News published what it presented as Nemtsov's telephone conversations with his opposition colleagues, in which they discussed preparations for a rally on Bolotnaya Square.
Nemtsov acknowledged that these records were partly authentic and partly doctored, called the publication an attempt to split the opposition and disrupt a rally on December 24, apologized to his colleagues for some unflattering remarks, and filed a motion with the Investigative Committee, demanding that a criminal case be opened against the website for "illegal tapping."
Ashot Gabrelyanov, the executive director of the News Media holding, which incorporates Life News, told Interfax: "He can demand the initiation of a criminal case or go to court - we are accustomed to all kinds of litigation."
"However, we have proven to be better businessmen than Nemtsov, as we have made more money on him than he on us," Gabrelyanov added.
The Investigative Committee launched its probe on December 21.