Justice suffers in the heat

A trial in Vladivostok was abandoned on Tuesday, as the seriously ill defendant was brought into the courtroom unconscious and was subsequently unable to answer questions.

“My client is suffering from chronic cardiac disease and needs treatment,” lawyer Oleg Kuchin said, adding that doctors had recently examined the man.

“However, the paramedic at the pre-trial detention centre was of a different opinion and considered that my client was capable of taking part in a trial.” A court spokesman confirmed that “the accused was lying unconscious in the dock.”

Court employees told local media that the man may have exaggerated the seriousness of his condition to avoid legal proceedings.