Politkovskaya Trial Becoming a Farce

by Ese Omofoma
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia - The trial of three men suspected of murdering Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya has been suspended, amid deepening controversy. 

Politkovskaya was an outspoken critic of the Kremlin.

Judge Yevgeny Zubov postponed the trial for 10 days, after disputes with the jury and defense attorneys.

The judge said a defense lawyer would have trouble attending some of the hearings on the scheduled dates. Murad Musajev, the defense lawyer, said this wasn't true. He said there was no reason to postpone proceedings for 10 days, casting further doubt on the transparency of the trial.

"The latest bizarre twist adds to the impression that this trial is seriously compromised," a BBC correspondent says.

Supporters of the murdered Kremlin critic say the trial is already proving to be a farce.

On Monday the judge surprised everybody by ruling that the trial would be open to the public, said the BBC's Rupert Wingfield Hayes, in Moscow.

Two days later he reversed his decision, saying the jury had refused to appear in front of journalists.

However, on Thursday a member of the jury called a Moscow radio station denying any of the jurors had made such a request.

The juror said they had objected to having TV cameras in court, but not text journalists.

Politkovskaya's supporters believe state security agents were involved in her murder.  Therefore they believe there will never be a fair and open trial.

Politkovskaya, was one of the most outspoken critics of former Russian President Vladimir Putin.  She was shot dead outside her Moscow apartment two years ago.

Three men are on trial.  One is a former policeman Sergey Khadzhikurbanov.  The other two are Chechen brothers, Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov. 

The men are only charged with involvement in the plot, not with either carrying out the murder or ordering it.

For more information, please see: 

FIP - In Russia, Politkovskaya Trial Descends Into Farce - 22 November 2008

BBC - New twist in Politkovskaya trial - 21 November 2008

Newstin - New twist in Politkovskaya trial - 21 November 2008