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Ex-Russian Police Officer Tells Court He Was Ordered to Plant Drugs on
Reporter

RFE/RL

   A former Russian police officer told a court his superior ordered him
   to plant drugs on investigative journalist Ivan Golunov, whose arrest
   last summer sparked outrage.

   Denis Konovalov, who was fired in connection with his arrest on
   fabricating drug charges against Golunov, admitted he framed the
   journalist but said he did so at the behest of Igor Lyakhovets, who is
   also on trial.

   Aleksei Kovrizhkin, Lyazovets' lawyer, said his client is innocent and
   that prosecutors are pressuring Konovalov.

   "Judging by his look, he is very despondent. I don't know what path
   they found to him, but he is broken," Kovrizhkin told Open Media.

   Lyazovets claims he was on vacation when Golunov was arrested, but said
   his subordinates consulted with him by phone about the case.

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