Citing its source, the Telegram channel Shot reported that the men accused in the assault on Moscow CSKA basketball player Alexei Shved, 21-year-old Knyaz Amirslanov and his 17-year-old brother Ramzin, were seen on Moscow streets. On May 5, the four were taken into custody for two months, and the next day, a fourth accomplice, Yusuf, was detained. By early July, all four were to remain in custody, though Ramzin reportedly left Russia on June 13, flying to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The whereabouts of the other three defendants were not known at that time.
Prosecutors accuse Amirslanov and Pisarev of hooliganism with violence, a crime carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Yusuf faces a harsher potential term, up to twelve years, if convicted, reflecting the severity of the injuries allegedly inflicted on Shved. The exact caps depend on the proven circumstances and the court’s assessment of the attack’s harm.
Criminal lawyer Maxim Kalinov spoke with socialbites.ca, suggesting the Amirslanov brothers could be released if the investigation asks the court to adjust the preventive measure. He explained that after the May 2 assault, a restraining order led to an initial detention period, typically limited to a month or two. In this case, he noted, the court might authorize release by setting a shorter detention window, or alternatively consider changing the preventive measure in light of new circumstances such as admissions of guilt or cooperation with investigators.
According to Kalinov, if investigators petition the court to modify the preventive measure, such requests are often granted, and the defendants may either stay in custody for a shorter period or be released entirely. He added that the investigative team would evaluate cooperation and any deals reached with the prosecution as influential factors in the court’s decision.
Kalnivov also commented on the initial charge, which was attributed to the moderate harm to health under Article 112, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, coupled with hooligan motives. He found it surprising that detention was used as a restrictive measure for a case marked as medium severity, since such offenses frequently lead to suspended sentences. He suggested the defendants might have already confessed and could be cooperating in order to secure more favorable terms, potentially influencing a change in preventive measures.
Regarding Ramzin Amirslanov’s departure for Azerbaijan, the lawyer indicated there was little value in hiding for this offense, as the likely outcome could be a conditional sentence. He noted that Azerbaijan co-operation agreements could be used for extradition, but emphasized that for the crime described, most suspects typically receive suspended sentences unless there is a prior record or a more serious factor.
Observers recalled that the attack on Shved occurred near a restaurant in central Moscow during the night of May 1 to 2. After a verbal confrontation following a loss in a semi-final of the VTB United League against Krasnodar’s Lokomotiv, Shved was assaulted. Emergency medical teams transported him to the hospital, where he later recovered from a traumatic brain injury and was released on May 9. Shved himself later described his condition and the impact of the incident in interviews conducted in June, noting that while his health had improved, the event was shocking and unacceptable in the heart of the city. Doctors indicated that recovery would proceed gradually, while the public reaction highlighted the seriousness with which such violence is viewed in Moscow.
A few hours before news of the Amirslanov brothers’ potential release surfaced, Shved’s manager, Obrad Fimich, provided an update on the player’s health and prospects for return to training. He reported that Shved was feeling better, his condition stable, and that light training could begin in early July, followed by more intensive workouts, though the exact timeline would depend on ongoing recovery and medical advice.