MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax) - Former Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, against whom a criminal case of negligence charges has been opened, is ready to appear for questioning as a suspect on December 3, Serdyukov's defense attorney Konstantin Rivkin said.
"This date was discussed with us in advance, and Anatoly Eduardovich [Serdyukov] said this was convenient to him, and it was also convenient to us, the lawyers," Rivkin told Interfax on Thursday.
Rivkin said he had not yet talked with Serdyukov on the phone or met with him to discuss further steps. "I plan to do this in the near future," he said.
He said, however, that the investigators have not yet officially notified them of setting the questioning for December 3.
Serdyukov's defense is entitled to appeal the decision on opening a criminal case against him with a court, he said.
"Yes, this can be done, but we haven't discussed this step with our client, and we won't make any steps on our own," Rivkin said.
A source familiar with the situation had told Interfax earlier that Serdyukov's questioning as a witness was scheduled for next Tuesday, December 3.
The Investigative Committee reported on Thursday that a criminal case had been opened against Serdyukov and that he was suspected of negligence causing damage amounting to 56 million rubles.