Volgograd Court Resumes Case of Kaustik Director

Director of the Volgograd plant Kaustik, Eldor Azizov, has again appeared before the court. He is accused of having sexual relations with a person under 16 years of age. The trial is being held behind closed doors, presided over by Judge Veronika Kushch, who previously handled the case of the former head of the regional UGIBDD (State Traffic Safety Inspectorate), Alexander Stepanov.

Timeline of the trial:

• The materials were submitted to the Central District Court on October 27.
• The first hearing took place on December 4 but was postponed due to witnesses failing to appear.
• The next hearing was held on February 4, and the following one is scheduled for February 26.

The public history of the case began at the end of October 2024, when anonymous Telegram channels published information about the alleged relationship between the general director and a minor. Soon after, a criminal case was opened against Azizov under Part 1 of Article 134 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

The only public comment from the accused came through the enterprise«s press service: «I don»t know what these people are trying to achieve. I can say that I saw the victim for the first time in my life at the court hearing. I cannot comment further on the case while the trial is ongoing. I wouldn«t wish this on anyone; anyone could find themselves in such a situation.»

Previously, the same criminal case had already been submitted to the court, but Judge Roman Khomutov returned it to the prosecutor due to violations in the drafting of the indictment. Despite an appeal by the state prosecution, this decision was upheld by the Volgograd Regional Court.

The press service of Kaustik does not comment on the resumption of the trial. Currently, details of the new stage of the proceedings are being clarified.