MOSCOW, May 30 (RAPSI) – The Moscow City Court on Friday found Magomed and Khalimat Rasulov guilty of attacking the police officers at the Matveyevsky market in Moscow and sentenced them to 18 and 12.5 years respectively, RAPSI reports from the courtroom.

The court also sentenced the spouses to 2 years of restriction of freedom after release. They will be prohibited from leaving their place of residence without the competent authorities’ sanction during this period.

Last July at the Matveyevsky market, police were attempting to detain the alleged rapist of a 15-year-old girl when they were attacked by about 25 people. Police officer Anton Kudryashov sustained a head injury and was hospitalized.

The prosecution states that Rasulov and his wife demanded that the police release their relative, the suspected rapist. They and other family members surrounded and assaulted the police officers in the market. The defendants came close to killing the victims, according to the prosecution, but were stopped by the timely arrival of reinforcement and prompt medical help. The Rasulovs were charged with assault and the attempted murder of police officers.

On May 19, prosecutors requested that the Moscow City Court sentence Magomed and Khalimat Rasulov to 18 and 13 years respectively.

Magomed Rasulov denies any guilt while his wife, Khalimat, pled guilty only of attacking the police. She claims she was not aware of the officer’s status.