Lawyer Says Politkovskaya Trial Closed To Keep Media Out
Anna Politkovskaya was murdered in October 2006. Her killer has not yet been found.
November 19, 2008
Holding the trial of three men accused of helping in the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya behind closed doors is being done only to keep the media away, says a lawyer involved in the case.
Murad Musayev, the lawyer for Jabrail Makhmudov, told
RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service that the decision was made to prevent journalists from attending the trial.
A Moscow Regional Military Court judge announced today that the trial will not be open to the public. Politkovskaya's family lawyer expressed regret about the judge's decision.
Politkovskaya was shot to death in her apartment building in Moscow in October 2006. Two brothers from Chechnya -- Chechens Jabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov, as well as former Russian security service agent Sergei Khadjikurbanov -- are being tried for involvement in the assassination.
An international arrest warrant has been issued for a third Makhmudov brother, Rustam, who officials believe shot Politkovskaya.
(by Sharip Asuyev of RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service)