Khatazhukov: mistakenly published appeal to participants of Moscow rallies may affect outcomes of Nalchik attack trial

The appeal to the participants of protest rallies in Moscow disseminated on behalf of defendants in the case about the attack on Nalchik in October 2005, who deny their any involvement in this document, may affect the outcome of the trial, said Valery Khatazhukov, Chairman of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Centre.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the "Appeal of defendants in the case on attack on Nalchik in October 2005 to participants of protest rallies in Moscow", dated February 1, expressed support for the demands of the rallies and asked the organizers thereof to read out the appeal at the actions on February 4. However, after the publication of a letter on the website "Caucasian Policy", relatives and lawyers of several defendants in the case claimed their non-involvement in the appeal.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Maxim Shevchenko, the editor-in-chief of the "Caucasian Policy", that the document appeared on the Internet before time. "I didn't fully understand that the document wasn't finally approved by the defendants, I ordered to post it. It was just my mistake. This document was under their discussion, but not all the 56 defendants got acquainted with it."

Mr Shevchenko has noted that as soon as the editorial board of the "Caucasian Policy" understood that the document had not been finally agreed on, it was removed from the website.

"The letter was discussed among the defendants in the case of attack on Nalchik; and most of them had supported the document. And as far as I know, the draft, which was originally discussed, was posted on the website before time. There was no reason for the defendants to initially say 'yes', and then - 'no' - under the pressure of some circumstances. Just, the document was published too early," said Jamal.

Valery Khatazhukov, Chairman of the Kabardino-Balkarian Human Rights Centre, said that the early publication of the text of the appeal of the defendants to the participants of protest actions may affect the outcome of the case.

"We all know in what conditions and how the case was investigated; and how long the inquiry had lasted," said the human rights activist. Therefore, in his opinion, any circumstances that may be used by the court against the defendants, "as a result may influence the outcome of the trial."