Judge dismisses motion to return to prosecutor indictment in case of Anna Politkovskaya's murder

Today, at the trial in the case of the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, an observer of the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta", the court has dismissed the motion filed by Vladimir Stepanov, new advocate of defendant Rustam Makhmudov, to return of the indictment in the case to the prosecutor.

The today's court hearing began with one-hour delay, since not all journalists were admitted to the courtroom because of the lack of places. However, victims and their representatives did not appear in the courtroom, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

During the court session, advocate Vladimir Stepanov asked the court to give him time to study the case, since he only had time to examine the indictment consisting of four volumes.

Judge Pavel Melekhin has granted the motion filed by the new advocate, despite the objections of public prosecutors Maria Semenenko and Boris Loktionov.

The consideration of the case on the Anna Politkovskaya's murder was postponed till January 27.

During the today's court session, Vladimir Stepanov has also filed a motion to return the indictment in the case to the prosecutor; however, the motion was dismissed by the Judge.