Verkhovskiy: trial on Markelov and Baburova will be long and scandalous

The litigation on the murder of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova will be long and scandalous, since it has caused resonance in the ultra-right-wing environment. This is the forecast of Alexander Verkhovskiy, director of the "Sova" Information-Analytical Centre.

He says that technically a murder case should be heard quickly, but this trial will be long, because evidences of supporters of defendants Tikhonov and Khasis are announced, and adds that the case has already caused a scandal among right-wing extremists.

"As far as I understand, this time the prosecution has normal and well-prepared charges and proofs; it means that the sentence will be announced. I hope there will be no excesses, because when at large Tikhonov was known in very narrow circles; in particular, in one of the oldest neo-Nazi groupings. Now he's known broader, and it means that his young fellows may hamper the judge, the jury, or everybody. It is worth thinking about some security measures," said Verkhovskiy.

He added that Tikhonov had links with activists of the grouping named "Blood & Honour", a Russian branch of the international neo-Nazi organization. "They are, in principle, not even a branch, but an independent organization. These are people with great criminal experience. Some of them are probably in hiding and known only by nicknames. This is a serious underground movement. Khasis is younger and didn't have such links, except for through Tikhonov," said Alexander Verkhovskiy.

According to his version, Khasis is under threat of 18 years in prison, while Tikhonov - of life-long sentence. "Therefore, they have no choice but deny their guilt; however, their chances are rather doubtful. Tikhonov has no alibi. It is one of the most eloquent moments. There are many evidences of the people with whom they dealt. There's now a split among the nationalists, with whom they had contacted. Khasis testified against someone from their retinue; others spoke a lot against Tikhonov and Khasis. They all told a lot about each other in this case," added the source, who preferred to remain anonymous.

He has added that the pistol, from which Markelov was killed, was found on Tikhonov; investigators have his clothes he wore when committing the murder; there are eyewitnesses' evidences. "There are records from cameras and telephone tapping from his flat, where they indirectly mentioned the murder of Markelov. The defence is trying to use the general citizens' distrust of law enforcement bodies and the justice system, saying that it was all 'staged'. We can surely admit that militiamen exceeded their powers at detention; but no more. The defence also insists on Khasis' complete innocence, while Tikhonov confessed of forging documents and arms dealing," said the source.

Many participants in the case and witnesses are scared, the source of the "Caucasian Knot" has added, since there is an opinion that Tikhonov's accomplices, who remain at large, killed Judge Eduard Chuvashov.

"I can't comment Judge Nikolenko's self-withdrawal from the case; I don't have information on this. I might add that one of the witnesses from the prosecution - Ilya Goryachev, who has to do with the organization named 'Russian Image', - asked for protection under the witness protection programme; and he was given it, which happens very rarely. So far, he has not testified," said the source.

He believes that the trial may become a kind of a "Nuremberg Trial", since law enforcement bodies have great plans and opportunities.