Russian investigators have dropped a manslaughter charge against a farmer who shot two intruders to death after they demanded the deed to his farm.
The farmer, who was 51 at the time, killed the intruders after being beaten with a metal rod and attacked with a knife during the incident in the western Belgorod region in September, investigators said Friday.
The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the farmer on suspicion of "manslaughter by exceeding the limits of necessary defense," but decided to drop the charge based on witness testimony and evidence found at the scene, the statement said.
Earlier this month a police officer in the Ural Mountain city of Izhevsk was sentenced to a year and seven months in prison on the same charge after killing a neighbor in a domestic dispute.
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.
