Custody of all defendants in Nalchik attack case extended again

Today, the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria, which is considering the Nalchik attack case, has extended the term of detention of all the figurants by three more months – till March 26, 2014.

Let us remind you that the motion to extend the custody of all 53 defendants by three more months was moved by the prosecution, because the previous term was to expire on December 16. Four defendants – Kazbek Budtuev, Zalim Ulimbashev, Sergey Kaziev and Anzor Ashev – were offered to remain under recognizance not to leave.

Several advocates have petitioned to change the measure of restraint for their clients, but the court found no grounds for this.

Today, the defendants began pronouncing their last plea. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports that the next session will be held on Monday, December 23.

Let us note here that the trial has already had the debates of the parties, during which the prosecution offered life imprisonment for seven defendants. Also, the prosecutor asked to exempt three defendants from further punishment and offered prison terms ranging from 11 to 23 years of imprisonment in a high security colony for the rest of them.