Third accused added in Russol extortion case
THE DIRECTOR of public prosecutions has added a third accused in the extortion case involving Russian Igor Russol.
Russol, his co-accused Kevin Bailey, and Simon Scott – who was added to the case – made a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The men are charged with allegedly trying to extort nearly R650 000 and a Porsche Cayenne from businesses across Cape Town.
Russol was a close friend of slain nightclub kingpin Yuri “the Russian” Ulianitski.
Russol’s arrest came a few weeks after he claimed in the media that a fight for control of Cape Town’s criminal network, including nightclubs, led to Ulianitski’s assassination and that of local underworld figure Cyril Beeka in March last year.
Prosecutor Ebrahim Adams told the court yesterday that the prosecution was not opposed to Scott’s release on bail.
Adams said Scott had a fixed address, no previous convictions, no pending cases and no outstanding warrants.
“The State has no objection to the accused (Scott’s) release on bail. An amount of R2 000 bail is suggested,” Adams said.
Scott’s lawyer, Dawood Khan, confirmed he did not have a criminal record.
Russol’s lawyer, Gary Jansen, said his client was being held at the Milnerton police station and asked that he be moved to Bellville until his bail application tomorrow.
Jansen also asked that a Russian interpreter be arranged for the bail hearing.
Bailey, of Durbanville, was released on R2 000 bail on Monday last week when the State did not oppose bail.
The court heard last week that a distinction was made between the men because Bailey was allegedly the initiator of the crime, while Russol allegedly carried it out.
It is not clear what Scott’s alleged role in the crime was.
While Russol is expected back in court tomorrow, his coaccused were excused until March 13.