Thirteen years sought for Georgy Akoyev, known as Giya Sverdlovsky
Russian prosecutors have requested thirteen years in prison for Georgy Akoyev, known as Giya Sverdlovsky. He is on trial in Yekaterinburg over his alleged place at the top of the criminal hierarchy. Akoyev denies holding that status. The case has reached closing arguments, not a sentence.
On 28 October, prosecutors asked the Sverdlovsk regional court to impose thirteen years in prison on Georgy Akoyev. Under the request, he would spend the first three years in a prison and the remainder in a penal colony with a particularly strict regime.
Akoyev is known as Giya Sverdlovsky. Prosecutors allege he acquired a senior status in the Russian underworld in 2008 and subsequently exercised influence in the region. The charge concerns occupying the highest position in a criminal hierarchy.
The defence disputes that account. Akoyev says he does not hold such underworld status, and his lawyers challenge the reliability of prosecution witnesses. EAN’s courtroom reporter says the judge rejected a request for additional witness evidence.
After the sentencing request, Akoyev delivered his final statement on 28 October, according to URA.RU’s courtroom reporter. He argued that the accusation rested on hearsay and contradictory accounts from anonymous witnesses. He also challenged a video used as evidence.
