The powerful influence of the Kremlin to punish the Bitkovs with brutal punishments has left a mark that today comes to light.
The judge Erika Aifan in charge of controlling the investigation made by the Public Ministry and the International Commission Against Impunity -CICIG- informed the Kremlin of the sentences that Igor Bitkov and Irina Bitkova would receive before their trial was concluded.
Request of the Kremlin
Translation (English) Petition of the KremlinJud
EMBASSY
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
IN THE REPUBLIC OF
GUATEMALA
Consular Section
The Russian Federation Embassy in the Republic of Guatemala very kindly Salutes the Honorable Foreigns Affaires Minister -General Direction of Legal Issues, International Treaties and Translations- and has the honor of ask you for information regarding about the possible condemnations preview to the crimes imputed to Mr Igor Bitkov and Mrs Irina Bitkova.
The Embassy thanks you in advance for the attention disposed to this matter and profits the ovation to reiterate to the Honorable Ministry the Testimony of its highest and distinguished consideration
Guatemala City, May 16, 2017
TO THE HONORABLE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA
GENERAL DIRECTION
OF LEGAL ISSUES, INTERNATIONAL
TREATIES AND TRANSLATIONS
Three months prior to the Bitkovs verdict being issued, Judge Ericka Aifan personally informed the Kremlin of the possible prison sentences that the Bitkovs would be facing.
English translation below
Guatemala, Octuber 5th, 2017
Mister
Mario Sandoval Rivera
Coordinator of the Special Procedures Section
Criminal Chamber
His Office
Unique number 01071-2010-001644
Rogatory Letter 01004-2017-01088 Requesting State: Russia
In a kindly way I address to you with the means to communicate you the result of the letter sent to this Judicature on October 3rd, 2017, coming from the Sub Secretary of the Supreme Court of Justice in which we are order to comply with the ordered on the resolution dated September 13th of 2017 emanated of the Presidency of the Judicial Organism and of the Supreme Court of Justice, to issue a report related to the possible condemnations preview for the crimes imputed to the Russian Citizens IGOR BITKOV and IRINA BITKOVA.
From the foregoing, I allow myself to report the following, both defendants were sen to trial for the crimes of USURPATION OF CIVIL STATUS, USE OF FORGED DOCUMENTS and SUPPRESSION AND ALTERATION (sic), these crimes have the following penalties provided:
USURPATION OF THE CIVIL STATUS: Regulated in article 241 of the Penal Code, which establishes that who commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of two to five years.
USE OF FORGED DOCUMENTS: Regulated in Article 325 of the Criminal Code, which establishes that whoever commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of one to three years.
SUPPRESSION AND ALTERATION (sic): Regulated in Article 240 of the Criminal Code, which establishes that whoever commits this crime will be punished with imprisonment of five to eight years and a fine of Q.100,000 to Q.500,000 quetzales.
Without another particular,
ABOGADA ERIKA LORENA AIFAN DAVILA
FIRST JUDGMENT OF FIRST CRIMINAL INSTANCE, NARCOACTIVITY AND OFFENSES AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE HIGHEST RISK PROCESSES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GUATEMALA “D”
Telephone 2426-7000 extension 3442
Seal that says: Special Procedures Section
Criminal Chamber, Supreme Court of Justice
10 OCT 2017