Tallinn court hands down life sentence for murder of two people
The Harju County Court in Tallinn found Ruslan Garafutdinov and Igor Popov guilty of murdering two young people using torture and with the aim of concealing another crime. Garafutdinov was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Popov received 15 years in prison.
As ERR News reports, the men were also found guilty of unlawful deprivation of liberty, violent acts and computer fraud. Life imprisonment became Garafutdinov's final sentence for the totality of the crimes. Popov's less severe sentences were absorbed by the 15-year sentence for murder.
Case circumstances
According to the prosecution, on April 26, 2022, Garafutdinov and Popov lured two young people into a car, allegedly under the pretext of offering them work. They used pepper spray, put handcuffs on the victims and took their documents, bank card and PIN codes.
During the trip, Garafutdinov strangled one of the victims in the car. Later, near Paunküla, Popov strangled the second victim while Garafutdinov held him against the seat and covered his mouth and nose. The bodies were buried in the Vikipalu forest in Anija Municipality.
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Fraud after the murders
According to the prosecution materials, after the murders Popov handed the victims' documents and phone to Igor Preitlov. He used the identity of one of those killed to conclude two installment purchase agreements through the Estonian branch of TF Bank AB and obtain two mobile phones. One of the smartphones was sold in Riga for 500 euros.
Popov also withdrew 385 euros from one victim's bank account. TF Bank's losses amounted to 1,441.98 euros. The court found all crimes proven, establishing that both men acted intentionally in the murders; mitigating circumstances were considered only for Popov.
The court dismissed a civil claim within the criminal proceedings because it found no exceptional grounds for compensation for non-pecuniary damage. The verdict has not yet entered into force and may be appealed to the Tallinn Circuit Court within 30 days.
