"The case is based not on facts, but on assumptions": former Tomsk mayor Ivan Klein again delivered his final statement in court
The court plans to announce the former mayor's verdict on abuse of office on January 29.
"This whole case, from start to finish, is a fabrication, a fabrication. I don't admit my guilt completely, "Klein said in his final statement. “The case is built not on facts and evidence, but on assumptions, speculation, and the testimony of individuals who, in order to save themselves from criminal prosecution, decided to shift responsibility to the manager.”
The prosecution requested for Ivan Klein A sentence of two years and ten months in a general regime penal colony. This is the former mayor's second case. In late December 2021, he was sentenced to two years in a general regime penal colony for abuse of office and illegal entrepreneurship.
During his closing statement today, Klein addressed the head of Russia's Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin and the Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov with a request to pay attention to criminal cases related to the implementation of national projects in the region.
"Justice and reason are in your hands, Your Honor. Don't take on the shortcomings and errors of the investigation and prosecution, — Klein said. "According to the Criminal Procedure Code, the verdict must be justified and lawful. And that means only one thing—an acquittal. That's what the people of Tomsk are waiting for, and that's what I'm waiting for."
Ivan Klein He was arrested in November 2020. Since then, he has been in constant court proceedings. Meanwhile, the former mayor has been diagnosed with cancer and recently underwent heart surgery.
Photo: Valery Doronin