Moscow policemen accused of beating to death suspected terrorist Aleksander Pumane last year and charged with official negligence have pleaded not guilty during a court session, Itar-Tass news agency reported Tuesday.  On Sept. 18, 2004, Moscow police found explosives in Pumane’s car. The former submariner told investigators that he was offered $1,000 to take the car to a major thoroughfare that President Vladimir Putin uses to travel to and from the Kremlin. The car was reportedly registered in the name of a woman who is the wife of a Chechen rebel. Pumane died in hospital six hours after questioning, and the subsequent investigation said he had been beaten to death, apparently during police interrogation. | Really? Well, I'm surprised, that they had a investigation, that is. |
Another source claimed at the time that Pumane had died of a heart attack. | Technically correct, his heart did stop |
The Russian media published a number of controversial articles about the mysterious death of Pumane. Some reports even suggested that he may actually be alive and be part of a witness protection program as an important source of information. | Running a dry cleaners in Vladivostok |
Advocates of that version claimed the fact that even the relatives of the man failed to identify his body proved this theory. It was also widely reported that Pumane’s wife had not seen him for several years before she was told of his death. | "I don't know, he always seemed taller. And covered in less blood." |
Another group has repeatedly said that the man arrested was using Pumane’s passport and identity as a cover. |