A taxi driver who ploughed into World Cup fans in Russia has begged for mercy – claiming he “confused the accelerator and brake”. Chyngyz Anarbek Uulu, 28, was charged with violation of traffic rules after smashing into pedestrians near Moscow’s Red Square on Saturday night.
The dad-of-two appeared at Tagansky district court in Moscow on Monday, where he told a judge he was “sorry for everything I’ve done”.
He said: “I did not sleep for two days. I had to keep earning. “I confused the accelerator and brake pedals. “I plead guilty and want to beg for forgiveness from every victim and their families.”
The married cabbie from ex-Soviet republic Kyrgyzstan faces up to three years in jail or two years of forced labour in a penal colony if convicted.
The court was still considering the case and the prosecutor called for him to be remanded in custody pending further investigations.
Evidence was given to the court that the driver was “sober” at the time of the incident, but he could be sent for psychiatric or psychological analysis.
Earlier prominent Russian politician Yevgeny Roizman claimed the taxi driver who mowed down pedestrians including World Cup fans was a “terrorist”.
Police and the FSB security service are still examining the deeply shocking incident close to the Kremlin in Moscow.
Video footage showed the yellow Hyundai taxi pull sharply out of a line of stationery traffic, accelerate and mount the narrow pavement, which was packed with pedestrians.
The vehicle drove for about 10 metres along the pavement, bowling over pedestrians, with some of them being carried along on the bonnet of the car.
The taxi came to a partial halt after hitting a traffic sign. Uulu then ran away from the car, but was tackled by bystanders.
He told police he fled because he thought the people chasing after him were going to attack him.
Mexican supporters gearing up to watch their nation’s opening match against world champions Germany were among those hurt.
