Journalists removed from courtroom during witness' evidence at Nalchik attack trial

At the process on the events on October 13, 2005, one of today's witnesses has petitioned to the court about his interrogation at a closed judicial session. He said that he is a working militiaman. The prosecution party has supported his petition referring to the law on state protection of witnesses. The defence was against.

"He being a militiaman is no ground for making the session closed: he is not a secret agent and doesn't wear mask when in the street," said advocate Magomed Abubakarov. According to his version, there are no facts about any threats to him in his petition.

Advocate Kelemetov also said that the petition was late and senseless, as this witness' evidences are in the criminal case files. "The aim of ensuring his safety is not achieved," he has noted.

Defendant Sergey Kaziev said that most of the defendants know the witness personally. "If he hadn't broken the law, he has nothing to fear," he said.

Defendant Akhkubekov told the court that the witness is his relative. The court, having held a consultation in situ, decided to interrogate the witness at a closed session. Journalists and defendants' relatives were asked to leave the courtroom.