The Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia is moving forward with a partial suspension of criminal proceedings involving one of the associates linked to the former owner of the Cherkizovsky market, Telman Ismailov. The legal matter centers on allegations that he kidnapped former freestyle wrestler Tarkhan Eldukaev and the singer Abraham Russo. This development was reported by RBC, a major Russian business news outlet. The decision underscores the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the Cherkizovsky saga and the broader network of individuals once connected to the market’s prominent figures.
The public record indicates that Eldukaev’s defense team is urging the case to be closed entirely, arguing that there has been no continuing crime and that the evidence does not sustain further prosecution. RBC’s reporting notes that the defendant has filed a petition with the investigative authorities claiming a contractual relationship with the Russian Defense Ministry to take part in combat operations in Ukraine. This assertion, if substantiated, would tie the case to military service obligations and related statutory considerations, adding layers of potential legal and political significance to the proceedings.
According to RBC, Eldukaev has stated a willingness to participate in hostilities with a sizable group, describing plans to go to the battlefield alongside a detachment composed of about two dozen relatives and acquaintances. Such statements, whether rhetorical or genuine, have implications for the perception of the case by both the court and the public, possibly influencing how readiness to engage in armed conflict is treated within the framework of criminal proceedings and any associated charges.
Previously, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow issued a decision that compelled the Main Investigation Department (GID) of the Investigative Committee of Russia to partially suspend the criminal proceedings against Tarkhan Eldukaev. This legal move reflects the court’s effort to balance prosecutorial activity with statutory rules, including timelines and prerequisites for continuing investigation. The suspension effectively halts certain investigative actions while preserving the possibility of revival should new information or legal grounds arise.
Earlier reports indicated that Eldukaev had faced accusations related to kidnapping the singer Abraham Russo. The defense successfully demonstrated in court that the statute of limitations on the kidnapping charge had expired in 2019, which formed the basis for dismissing that particular segment of the case at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office. The intersection of timing, legal strategy, and statutory limits has been a recurring theme in this matter, influencing how prosecutors pursue charges and how defendants mount defenses under Russian criminal law. Earlier media coverage also touched on related issues concerning Russo’s potential penalties for fines-related infractions, highlighting the broader legal landscape surrounding the individuals involved and the consequences they may face in separate but interconnected proceedings.