Cannibal' fisherman who admits he ate mate will not face prosecution

Alexander Abdullayev is not to be charged over cannibalism, which is not an offence in the Russian criminal code. But Alexei Gorulenko, 36, held over the death of his long-time friend Andrei Kurochkin, 43, after the men became lost in the Sakha Republic, faces a charge of  causing 'grave harm' his friend's health, which later unintentionally led to his death from a serious head injury.

Gorulenko and Abdullayev emerged emaciated from the taiga in November 2012. Abdullayev admitted eating their fishing friend Kurochkin, but claimed he had died of cold. A fourth friend is still missing, believed to be dead.

Gorulenko has not admitted his guilt. Human bones identified as Kurochkin's had been chopped with an axe and there was evidence of gnawing, said investigators. They claim Gorulenko struck Kurochkin on the head during a row.

This led to his death and then the other two men ate him. Gorulenko faces up to 15 years' jail if convicted.