Alexander Emelianenko will be kept away from MMA competition until 2020, as the Simonovsky Court in Moscow announced on May 19 that the heavyweight fighter had been found guilty of sexual assault.
The court sentenced Emelianenko to 4.5 years in prison and a fine of 50,000 rubles (approx. $1010 USD). The prosecution had initially suggested a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 60,000 rubles.
The former PRIDE fighter was convicted of sexual assault, “kidnapping” by withholding a passport, and the forced use of “narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances” on 27-year-old Polina Stepanova. Emelianenko allegedly stole his substitute housekeeper’s passport from her purse while she was cleaning the house and extorted her for sexual favours, while forcing her to consume narcotics.
Must Reads
Must Reads
Emelianenko pleaded not guilty to all the charges levied against him and claimed that all dealings with the victim were “consensual.”
Following the announcement of the sentence, Emelianenko described the verdict as “unjust” and planned to appeal the decision, according to his attorney.
Unlike his brother Fedor Emelianenko, who is renowned as one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time, Alexander has constantly found himself in trouble with law enforcement. Several years ago, he was charged with the assault of an old man in a Moscow café but the case was dropped after a settlement was reached.
About the author
