Court Extends Ekaterina Tarkhova's Detention in Murder Case
Ekaterina Tarkhova shows visible signs of weight loss after months in detention.
On Monday, February 2, a hearing was held at the Samara Regional Court to extend the pre-trial restriction measure for Ekaterina Tarkhova. The investigator requested this.
The court proceeding was relocated to accommodate the large number of attendees.
The woman is accused of murdering the former mayor of Samara and his wife, as well as fraud: Tarkhova attempted to sell the victims« property. Journalists from 63.RU were working in the courtroom.
Media representatives and photographers filled the courtroom to cover the high-profile case.
The hearing was scheduled to start at 14:00, but was delayed by almost an hour. Ekaterina Tarkhova was brought in only at 15:00.
Ekaterina Tarkhova awaits the court«s decision on extending her pre-trial detention.
The hall had to be changed: all those who wished to attend did not fit.
Participants are seen during a break in the lengthy court hearing session.
The case was heard by Judge Firsova. The hearing began at 15:20, but almost immediately the judge announced a break until 15:45. This time was needed for the lawyer to familiarize himself with the case materials.
Ekaterina Tarkhova«s appearance has changed significantly during her time in custody.
The Samara Regional Court reminded what Ekaterina Tarkhova is accused of:
Tarkhova consults with her defense attorney amid the court proceedings.
Ekaterina Tarkhova appears confused and attempts to shield herself from cameras.
murder of two people, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy out of selfish motives;
The accused waits for the court session to begin in the courtroom.
Ekaterina Tarkhova arrives under guard, a standard procedure for defendants in court.
fraud, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy on an especially large scale;
Tarkhova greets her godmother who came to the court to show support.
Ekaterina Tarkhova listens as the judge delivers the ruling on her case.
theft causing significant damage to a citizen (including from a bank account);
two episodes of forgery of a document granting rights;
two episodes of fraud on a large scale.
Our correspondent Ilya Ovsyannikov reported: the godmother handed Tarkhova«s lawyer some small rectangular box. The journalist suggests that it might be cigarettes.
The investigator requested to include additional materials in the case. Among them is a notification from lawyer Verkhovsky. He asks to consider the motion without his participation, as he is on sick leave.
The victim list has been expanded to include LLC «Novitrek». Representing the company in the case is Nozdrachev, but he is absent from the hall.
LLC «Novitrek» was founded on September 2, 2013 and registered in Novokuybyshevsk, Samara Region. The company operates in the field of emergency safety. The general director since June 29, 2023 is Sergei Nikolaevich Nozdrachev. The founders are two individuals: Alexander Petrovich Dubinkin (61.3% share) and the deceased Viktor Alexandrovich Tarkhov (38.7%).
«Investigators have established that Ekaterina Tarkhova, together with Dmitry Metreveli, under the direction of Svetlana Metreveli (who was in Tbilisi), killed (poisoned with an unknown substance) Viktor and Natalya Tarkhov. Then, with the help of Taisiya Kiseleva, they forged documents and attempted to sell the property, including that of »Novitrek«. The amount of damage is several million rubles (approximately $30,000 at current rates). To date, more than 70 witnesses have been interviewed, and over 40 expert examinations have been conducted,» the investigator reported.
It was revealed that on December 15, investigators interviewed Lyudmila Tarkhova, who is listed as a victim in the case.
They are asking to extend the arrest for a period of three months, until May 2, 2026. The investigators see no grounds for mitigating the pre-trial measure.
«Currently, the results of two expert examinations are awaited. After that, the final charges will be presented, and the investigation will move towards completion. The case has about 20 volumes and four accused,» reports the 63.RU correspondent from the courtroom.
The floor was given to Ekaterina Tarkhova:
«Your Honor, I believe that the persons have still not been found. To think that I can continue criminal activity is absurd. I fell under the influence of certain persons. The main person is under house arrest, and I do not understand why. I have a minor child to support. I request to change the pre-trial measure,» the accused stated.
Tarkhova also said the following:
«New participants have appeared, who are still not in custody.»
The accused announced that if a milder pre-trial measure is chosen for her, she will find a place to stay.
«I never lived at the registered address. It was formal. I rented an apartment. I am ready to live in my aunt»s apartment if the court chooses house arrest as the pre-trial measure,« said Ekaterina Tarkhova.
The floor was given to the lawyer.
«My client has given full testimony, named the persons involved in the crime. The investigators have not presented evidence that she might flee or otherwise obstruct justice,» the lawyer assured the court.
Among the interviewed witnesses is Boris Belozertsev. He is a taxi driver who drove Ekaterina Tarkhova.
The investigators also spoke about things that Ekaterina Tarkhova tried to get rid of. For example, the accused wanted to destroy expensive fur coats and coats. Also, the case materials include documents on the market value of furniture in the apartment of Viktor and Natalya Tarkhov (in particular, three coffee tables).
Ekaterina Tarkhova«s arrest was extended for another three months. She will remain in the pre-trial detention center until May 2, 2026.
According to the investigation, Ekaterina Tarkhova may have had a hand in the mysterious disappearance of her relatives between December 2024 and January 2025.
The granddaughter of the former mayor was detained in early February 2025 and almost immediately sent to the pre-trial detention center.
A few weeks after the arrest, Ekaterina Tarkhova began giving confessional testimony. She told how she dealt with her grandmother and grandfather. Moreover, according to her, she did not act alone, but together with an accomplice. But he had already managed to leave Russia by that time.
A little later, investigators announced new details of the criminal case. They believe that Svetlana Metreveli and her nephew Dmitry (Demetre) Metreveli may be involved in the murder of Viktor and Natalya Tarkhov. They have been declared wanted, and the young man has been arrested in absentia.
