In Dagestan, jurymen ask indulgence for suspected Babayev's killer

On May 21, at the session of the Supreme Court of Dagestan, where the murder case of Farid Babayev, a public figure, a human rights activist and the leader of the regional branch of the "Yabloko" Party, is considered, the jurymen found Rasil Mamedrizaev guilty and at the same time asked for indulgence for him.

In the course of the court session, Rasil Mamedrizaev, who was accused of murder and keeping firearms, was repeatedly found guilty. Seferali Sefimirzoev, accused of complicity, was acquitted.

The session lasted for more than 11 hours. The Supreme Court listened to Valery Borschov, Secretary of the Bureaux of the Russian United Democratic Party "Yabloko", who came to Dagestan for the purpose. He believes that Babayev was killed for political reasons.

"It was a political murder," said Mr Borschov. "Someone disliked Farid Babayev's political activity. The trial of his killers attracts great attention both in Russia and in Europe. The killers should get what they deserve."

The prosecution asked to appoint the supreme punishment, saying that "a person's murder cannot be pardoned." The defence asked for acquittal.

The judge gave the jurymen a list of 14 questions, where they should have stated the defendants' guilt. After more than three hours of consultation, the jurymen found Mamedrizaev guilty of Babayev's murder, at the same time asking for indulgence for him. The judge will pass his final verdict on May 31.