In Boris Nemtsov murder case, defendants call him a victim of lawlessness

At the today's hearing in Boris Nemtsov murder case, the Moscow District Military Court has listened to the final speeches of defendants, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

In his final speech Khamzat Bakhaev has reported to the court that he learned about the Boris Nemtsov's murder only on February 28. His final speech was brief, and he just noted that he completely denied his involvement in Boris Nemtsov's murder.

Defendant Shagid Gubashev offered his condolences to Boris Nemtsov's family members and asked for an apology for the statements about politics voiced by him during the preliminary investigation. "I voiced the things that they forced me to say. That was not my statement, but the statement prepared by the FSB," claimed the defendant.

Anzor Gubashev also noted that he asked Boris Nemtsov's family members "to pardon him for what he said about the politicians during the preliminary investigation."

"I thank Boris Nemtsov's mother for her courageous son. While in prison, I read Boris Nemtsov's book 'The Confessions of a Rebel', and now I understand why he was killed. He was killed for telling the truth about power, he was killed for his opinion," Anzor Gubashev told the Court.

Defendant Eskerkhanov has told the Court that he "swears by Allah on having done nothing criminal." When addressing the jury, the defendant noted that he "ceased to trust the state and lost his faith in the Russian justice." "It is clear to everyone that we will be found guilty. However, I ask you not to take it on your conscience," said Eskerkhanov.

In his turn, Zaur Dadaev has said that he "feels ashamed, since he lost his nerves during the investigation and accepted someone else's guilt."

Zaur Dadaev told the Court that he also recently read Boris Nemtsov's book "The Confessions of a Rebel". "I am sure he was killed, since he spoke out against lawlessness," the defendant said.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.