In a case surrounding Sergei Furgal, the former governor of the Khabarovsk Territory, his longtime legal representative asserted that the sentence should be annulled due to procedural violations present at the moment the ruling was announced. The claim was reported by TASS and other outlets. The attorney emphasized that crucial steps in the judgment were not properly carried out, calling the process irregular and arguing that the legality of the verdict was compromised from the outset.
The attorney stated that during the court session, the judge presented only the introductory portion and the enforcement provisions of the verdict, while alleging serious legal missteps occurred in the surrounding proceedings. The assertion suggests that several formal requirements were not observed, which could affect the validity of the overall decision. While the defense did not specify every procedural flaw in that moment, the characterization pointed to significant deviations from standard judicial practice.
According to the same lawyer, prior to the delivery of the introductory part of the judgment, the presiding judge did not clearly indicate that the decision was issued on behalf of the Russian Federation. This omission is presented as a fundamental procedural lapse that could undermine confidence in the verdict and its authority. The defense signaled that an appeal would be lodged promptly to challenge these concerns and to seek correction or reversal where warranted.
The defense indicated that the forthcoming appeal will address not only the alleged procedural irregularities but also substantive aspects of the case. The aim, as described, is to obtain a reversal and an acquittal for the defendant if the court finds merit in these arguments. The lawyer reiterated that the grounds for appeal would focus on both the process and the verdict itself, appealing to higher judicial authorities for thorough review of the record.
Earlier developments show that on February 10 the court sentenced Furgal to a term of 22 years in a strict-regime facility. The verdict found him guilty of organizing contract killings that allegedly occurred during 2004 and 2005. In the same ruling, authorities determined that an charge related to illegal weapon possession was time-barred and hence dismissed. Prior to this, on February 2, the jury had delivered a guilty verdict, triggering the sentence that followed. Furgal had been detained in July 2020, marking a prolonged period of legal proceedings and public attention that continued through the recent sentencing and into anticipated appeals.
Analysts note that the case has remained one of the most closely watched political-legal episodes in the region. Supporters have argued that political factors influenced the proceedings, while opponents have insisted that the judicial process operated independently and according to the law. The latest statements from Furgal’s defense reflect the broader scrutiny surrounding high-profile criminal cases and the standards applied to evidence, procedure, and accountability in the Russian legal system. Observers will be watching for the outcome of the appeal and any further legal actions that may follow in the appellate courts.
As the defense prepares its challenge, prosecutors and court officials have not issued new public statements beyond the decisions already rendered. The procedural focus remains on whether any missteps occurred that could affect the framework of the judgment or its enforcement. The case continues to unfold as legal teams maneuver through the appellate process, seeking clarity and, if warranted, a corrective ruling that could alter the defendant’s legal destiny.