Ex-lawyer Elman Pashayev denies fraud allegations in high-profile case

Former attorney Elman Pashayev has firmly denied allegations of large-scale fraud as his case unfolds in the Second Western District Military Court, where his appeal against the extension of his arrest is being considered, Report informs via TASS.

"I do not admit guilt," Pashayev stated during the court proceedings. The ex-lawyer believes that the criminal case against him in the Russian Federation was initiated based on a complaint filed by blogger Alexei Blinovsky, who has been recognized as the aggrieved party.

Pashayev argues that his innocence is supported by the fact that he donated his personal savings to support the needs of the Russian army.

The court has upheld the legality of extending Pashayev's detention, with the appellate instance ruling: "The decision of the Moscow Garrison Military Court to extend the preventive measure in the form of detention for the accused Pashayev shall be left unchanged."

The pre-trial detention was prolonged at the request of military investigators until January 15.