A man in St. Petersburg has been given a year-long suspended prison sentence after attempting to kidnap the family chihuahua from his ex-wife.
Stepan Durmanov and his former wife became embroiled in an argument over who would get to keep their beloved pooch, according to a statement published on the regional prosecutors' website Monday.
Durmanov attempted to seize the miniature canine by force, injuring his former spouse in the process, and was subsequently charged and convicted of violent theft, the statement said.
It was not immediately clear who ended up with custody of the dog.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
