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Russia's 'Sleeping Judge' Resigns After Viral-Video Uproar


Judge Yevgeny Makhno apparently dozed off during a trial in a video that went viral on the Internet.
Judge Yevgeny Makhno apparently dozed off during a trial in a video that went viral on the Internet.
A judge in the city of Blagoveshchensk in eastern Russia has resigned after a video showing him sleeping during a trial went viral on the Internet.

The Board of Judges in Amur Oblast accepted Yevgeny Makhno's request to step down on February 1.

The board said Makhno submitted his resignation earlier this week after the video of his courtroom nap was widely watched on the Internet last month.

The video showed Makhno dozing off and playing with his phone during the trial of a defendant charged with financial fraud.

Despite missing key portions of the defense lawyer's arguments, Makhno found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison.

It is not clear if the man sentenced by Makhno will be retried.

Based on reporting by Interfax and Argmunety.ru

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