listen

Dmitry Buys Some Time With Testimony

By Lisa Rein
December 13, 2001

Editor's note: Please see the December 21, 2001 update to this story:
Dmitry Sets the Record Straight.

Big news in the U.S. vs. Dmitry Sklyarov case!

The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that Dmitry Sklyarov has agreed to testify in the civil case ~~against his former employer, Elcomsoft Co., Inc.,~~ in exchange for a deferment in his own case "until the conclusion of the case against Elcomsoft or for one year, whichever is longer."

Only time will tell whether Dmitry's testimony will vindicate Elcomsoft or seal its fate with the U.S. Attorney.

Under the agreement, Mr. Sklyarov agreed to cooperate with the United States in its ongoing prosecution of Mr. Sklyarov's former employer, Elcomsoft Co., Ltd. Mr. Skylarov will be required to appear at trial and testify truthfully, and he will be deposed in the matter. For its part, the United States agreed to defer prosecution of Mr. Sklyarov until the conclusion of the case against Elcomsoft or for one year, whichever is longer. Mr. Sklyarov will be permitted to return to Russia in the meantime, but will be subject to the Court's supervision, including regularly reporting by telephone to the Pretrial Services Department. Mr. Sklyarov will be prohibited from violating any laws during the year, including copyright laws. The United States agreed that, if Mr. Sklyarov successfully completes the obligations in the agreement, it will dismiss the charges pending against him at the end of the year or when the case against Elcomsoft is complete.