22:40, 9 March 2011

Witness says that suspect of murdering Markelov and Baburova could not use firearms

Nikita Tikhonov, who is accused of killing lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova, cannot handle firearms. This was stated by journalist Dmitry Steshin, a witness at the process, during his questioning at the Moscow City Court.

Dmitry Steshin said that he knew Tikhonov since 2003 and was on friendly terms with him. "We went hunting; I have a legally registered carbine; and I showed him how to handle it. Tikhonov had no idea how the rifle works, and nearly shot off my head with buckshot," said Dmitry Steshin, as quoted by the "Interfax".

He also told the court that he had never heard from the defendants any talks about the slain lawyer. He was convinced of Tikhonov's innocence of murdering Markelov and Baburova.