23:20, 16 November 2009

Trial on attack on Nalchik postponed till November 19

Today, the session of the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria on the case about the attack on Nalchik in October 2005 was cancelled because of absence of advocate Timur Lakunov. Last week, for the same reason out of three scheduled sessions only one was held.

At this process, where 58 defendants are protected by 29 advocates, practically every day advocates are replacing each other. However, Lakunov's client Kaplan Midov from Zalukokoazhe village refuses to have another advocate and does not explain his reasons.

Today, the chair of the court Galina Gorislavskaya has warned the defendant that if advocate Lakunov fails to appear by Thursday, November 19, the court will have the right to appoint him an advocate from among those participating in the process. In reply to it, Mr Midov said that he would agree to have another advocate, if the court did not consider the issue to challenge the chair, which was raised by advocate Lakunov on Thursday, November 12.

"The court cannot hold a truncated session," Judge Gorislavskaya answered.

The session was reappointed on Thursday, November 19.

Author: Luiza Orazaeva

Source: CK correspondent