Singer Victor Kalina gets 5.5 years in jail

A district court in the Belarusian capital Minsk sentenced popular singer Victor Kalina to 5.5 years in prison. His wife Svetlana got 4.5 years in jail.  The couple was fould guilty of a large-scale swindling. 

According to prosecutors, they sold their posh Mercedes Benz 500 in Russia and later reported about the theft. After Moscow police failed to recover the vehicle, the couple recovered $34,000 in compensation from their insurance company.

The Kalinas pleaded non-guilty and said they fell victims of a provocation. Besides, Victor Kalina was also charged with false testimonies and the obstruction of justice.

The Kalina family is ordered by the court to refund the losses of Br27mn to the state and Br71mn to the insurance company. Their property is also subject to exprepriation by the state. The verdict can be appealed within 10 days, reports the Belapan news agency.

BelaPAN