Witness questioning has begun in the Dolgikh trial.

      The questioning of witnesses in the case of Anton Dolgikh began at the Oktyabrsky District Court on October 16. The first to testify was Lyudmila Shushakova — a postal carrier from Branch No. 25, who also periodically worked part-time as an operator. The other three prosecution witnesses did not appear at the hearing, so the prosecutor had to read their statements aloud.

      The proceedings concerned the operation of the postal service, procedures for receiving and sending letters, and the functioning of the Unified Automated OPS System (EAS OPS) — a digital platform that automates key processes in post offices. Witnesses explained the internal structure of the post office, employees’ duties, and the order of interaction between them.

      Anton Dolgikh closely followed the hearing, filed motions to question additional witnesses, but the prosecutor and the court limited their conduct within procedural rules. The court rejected some of the defense’s motions, including the request to change the preventive measure. After the break, the examination of written statements from other postal employees continued.

      The next hearing is scheduled for October 24 at 10:00.

      Recall that yesterday, October 15, the indictment was read to completion in court. Dolgikh pleaded guilty to the count concerning petty bribery but denied guilt on the count concerning abuse of official powers. The defense again requested his release from pretrial detention, citing the sentence of Elena Galyusheva, who was found guilty under Part 1 of Article 285 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, but the court did not grant the motion.