Some 240 supporters of "Chernovik" are now at the building of Supreme Court of Dagestan

Today, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Dagestan has held a trial on the claim lodged by "Rossvyazkonnadzor" (Russian federal agency for supervising communications) for Dagestan demanding to stop the newspaper named "Chernovik" (Blueprint). The employees of "Rossvyazkonnadzor" have stated, when asked by the court to present proofs in support of their claims, that they were not ready and asked to postpone the trial. More than 240 supporters of journalists have gathered at the court building.

Many of those who rallied at the building by 2 p.m., when the Supreme Court of Dagestan planned to start the trial, arrived from many cities and villages of the republic.

"Right after the start of the session, Judge Khanmagomed Shikhgereev offered the claimant to present proofs in justification of their claims. However, employees of "Rossvyazkonnadzor" stated their unreadiness and asked to postpone the trial. Advocate of "Chernovik" Biyakay Magomedov has objected, saying that it was the claimant's attempt to protract the litigation," Magomed Magomedov, a journalist of "Chernovik" said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Also, the advocate moved a petition to stop considering the claim, as it was illegal. Should the court reject his petition, the advocate asked to at least suspend the consideration till the end of the criminal procedure at the Leninskiy Court of Makhachkala, where "Chernovik" journalists already figure as defendants. The court has agreed to these arguments and postponed the trial till 11 a.m. on June 25, 2009," said Mr Magomedov.

"It should be noted that the claim of 'Rossvyazkonnadzor' is illegal because it interferes, in its civil-legal procedure, into the criminal litigation, which is inadmissible by virtue of Article 215 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. One can't hold both - criminal and civil-legal - litigations on same grounds," Magomed Magomedov has concluded.