Arthur Babaev: criminal case of "Yabloko" leader assassinated in Dagestan can get ruined

Arthur Babaev, brother of Farid Babaev, leader of the Republic's branch of the Russian "Yabloko" Party, who was killed in Dagestan, does not exclude that the murder criminal case can be closed. Dokka Itslaev, advocate for the Babaevs, said that the direct gunman can escape punishment.

On Thursday, June 4, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation cancelled the decision of its Dagestan counterpart on Farid Babaev's murder case and sent it for re-consideration.

We remind you that on January 20, 2009, the jury found Rasil Mamedrizaev guilty of murdering Farid Babaev, leader of the Dagestan regional branch of the "Yabloko" Party and candidate for the State Duma. On the following day, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Dagestan sentenced Mamedrizaev to 16 years of imprisonment. At the same time, the second defendant - Seferali Sefimirzoev - was acquitted.

The cassation complaint of the defence emphasized contradictions of the verdict. According to advocate Suleiman Azuev, the court interrogated the people whose evidences were of no need. He also said that the jury composition was illegal: two jurymen had no right to take part in considering the case.

The position of state prosecutor coincided with the opinion of defence advocates. The case was sent to re-consideration to the first instance court. Rasil Mamedrizaev remained in custody.

In the current circumstances, it is not excluded that the case will be stopped, and Mamedrizaev will get released. This is the opinion of Arthur Babaev, Farid's brother: "If the witness, on whose evidences the verdict of guilty was based, is pressed on, the case can get ruined."