The government's legal team requested a nine-year sentence in a strict prison for Alexei Antilikatorov, who used to be the youngest vice-mayor of Voronezh and served in the administration from 2014 to 2019.
He is facing trial for accepting a 1.5 million ruble bribe from a businessman in exchange for allowing fairs, which were organized with violations, to continue. Before the trial, the defendant admitted guilt, but the prosecutor's stance remained unchanged.
At the Central District Court of Voronezh, a debate started regarding the case of a significant bribe against the former vice-mayor of Voronezh, 32-year-old Alexei Antilikatorov. The prosecutor, Svetlana Shatirishvili, stated that the investigation's version was fully proven in court. According to the version, in spring 2018, Alexei Antilikatorov, through his colleague, received a 1.5 million ruble bribe from a businessman for the continuation of the work of two fairs. The fairs were under threat of demolition, but an agreement was reached with the officials. However, last year, the fairs were dismantled due to the company's failure to fulfill the contract terms with the authorities.
In spring 2020, a criminal case was initiated against Alexei Antilikatorov by the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Voronezh Region based on materials from the regional FSB. At that time, the official was detained and put under house arrest. Antilikatorov admitted to receiving half of the amount from his colleague. According to Kommersant, Sergei Kurilo was released from criminal liability due to showing active repentance.
During the six-month judicial investigation, Alexei Antilikatorov maintained his position. He acknowledged his mistake before the prosecutor's speech during the debate, saying, “Now I realize that I was mistaken and incorrectly qualified my actions, because I do not have legal knowledge and incorrectly interpreted the norm of criminal law.” He confirmed the details stated in the indictment during the prosecutor’s clarifying questions.
The prosecutor, Svetlana Shatirishvili, questioned the sincerity of the defendant’s remorse, saying, “Unfortunately, I did not get the feeling that this was sincere repentance. One gets the impression that this is an attempt to minimize the negative consequences that will undoubtedly occur if the court finds him guilty.”
The prosecutor asked why the defendant changed his position. “I realized that I was mistaken and for two years I was in holy ignorance. I’m extremely ashamed of what I did. To a greater extent, in front of the children whom I ruined their lives. ”
