The witness told about Shlyafman's made-up version of Talkov's murder

Music producer Valery Shlyafman, accused of the murder of singer Igor Talkov, made up a version about the artist's elimination by law enforcers in order to remain unpunished. This opinion was expressed by a witness in the case, Elvira Shigapova, reports a correspondent of "Izvestia" on December 18.

She told about a conversation with producer Andrei Razin, who recalled how after Talkov's death Shlyafman allegedly began to say in interviews that Talkov was eliminated by the KGB. According to Razin, he then called Shlyafman, said he had witnessed the shooting and promised to go to investigators if the latter did not confess to the crime.

"In my opinion, this was such a ploy by Shlyafman. In order to avoid punishment, he decided to whitewash himself, this is my personal opinion, that's why a version was invented that Talkov was eliminated by the authorities, eliminated by law enforcers," Shigapova said.

Petrogradsky court began to consider the criminal case of Igor Talkov's murder on the merits on July 31. Shlyafman is charged in absentia under paragraph "e" of Article 102 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR ("Intentional murder under aggravating circumstances, committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many people"), as well as under Article 15, paragraph "e" of Article 102 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR ("Attempted premeditated murder under aggravating circumstances, committed in a manner dangerous to the lives of many people").

According to the indictment, on October 6, 1991, Shlyafman attempted to shoot Igor Malakhov, concert director of singer Aziza, in the Yubileiny Sports Palace on the grounds of dislike for him because of the order of the artists' performances. Malakhov managed to dodge the bullet, but Talkov was wounded. The accused fled to Israel in 1992.

Petrogradsky district court of St. Petersburg held the first court hearing on July 23 in the case of Talkov's murder. During the preliminary investigation, Investigative Committee officers questioned more than 50 witnesses across Russia, including entertainers, staff at the Yubileiny Sports Palace where Talkov was killed, and law enforcement officers who were at the scene on October 6, 1991. Genetic tests have also been conducted.

Singer Natasha Koroleva on November 13 said, testifying in court, that at the time of Tal'kov's murder she was performing on the stage of Yubileyny, and her concert was interrupted to try to find a doctor in the hall. Singer Aziza recalled in court on December 4 that she witnessed a fight between Shlyafman and Malakhov, during which the producer not only shot but also beat her concert director with his feet.