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A court has recognized the evidence gathered by the Primorye Territory investigating bodies of the Russia’s Investigative Committee sufficient to convict Alexander Kovtun, Vadim Kovtun, Roman Savchenko, Maxim Kirillov, Vladimir Ilyutikov and Alexei Nikitin. Depending on the role of each, they were found guilty of banditry (Article 209 of the Criminal Code), illegal purchase, possession and bearing of weapons (Article 222 of the Criminal Code), three counts of murder (Article 105 of the Criminal Code), four counts of robbery (Article 162 of the Criminal Code), theft of documents (Article 323 of the Criminal Code), deliberate destruction of another 's property (Article 167 of the Criminal Code), three counts of attacks on law enforcement officers (Article 317 of the Criminal Code), theft of weapons (Article 226 of the Criminal Code), nine counts of stealing (Article 158 of the Criminal Code), theft of car (Article 166 of the Criminal Code).

According to investigators, in 2009, together with Andrey Sukhorada, Alexander Kovtun created a stable armed group, which involved several people. At the disposal of the men there was an arsenal of various weapons, special means and camouflage suits. They prepared a few shelters in the woods to store the weapons. In the process of preparing attacks, they had been constantly improving their weapon handling skills. They used water and land transport borrowed from their relatives and stolen in the attacks.

In September 2009, near the cemetery on the outskirts of the village of Kirovsky, they murdered four people and stole their drugs. Intending to conceal evidence, they burned a car that was stolen from one of the victims after the murder. In February 2010, on the Davydov Street in Vladivostok they assaulted police officers. After the murder of a policeman the men stole his weapons, identity card and money. A local resident helped them conceal the evidence. In spring 2010, the attackers made several daring thefts and robberies in small towns of the Primorye Territory. They were stealing cars, money, hunting weapons, had no disdain for clothing and footwear. May 27, 2010, in order to take possession of arms and ammunition, the men murdered a policeman in the village of Rakitnoye, stole his property and fled. With the same purpose, May 29, 2010, they attacked traffic police officers on the motorway "Spassk-Dalny-Varfolomeyevka".

The defendants were detained on 11 June 2010 in a flat in Timiryazev Street in the city of Ussuriysk. The fought back and that was when two of the gang members killed themselves. Not wanting to be caught, they offered armed resistance and wounded two police officers.

The court sentenced them long. Alexander Kovtun, Vladimir Ilyutikov and Alexei Nikitin got life sentences to be served in maximum-security penal colonies. Vadim Kovtun to 8 years and 2 months in a maximum-security penal colony. Roman Savchenko to 25 years in a maximum-security penal colony. Maxim Kirillov to 22 years in a maximum-security penal colony.

The criminal investigation took more than two years. Of these, the accused acquainted with the materials of the criminal case, comprising a 50-volume criminal case and a 10-volume indictment, for nearly 8 months. More than 100 forensic examinations were conducted. Operative support of the criminal proceedings was provided by the police.