22:19, 27 April 2007

Defence thinks the person accused of murdering Kislovodsk imam is innocent

At the judicial debates of the parties that took place in Pyatigorsk (Stavropol Territory), the defence of Roman Koyushev, accused of murdering the imam of the Kislovodsk mosque, asked the court to acquit him of all the charges.

Nikolai Babukoev, the defendant's advocate, has informed today the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the defence stands on the position of R. Koyushev's innocence.

"We think they are trialling not the one to be judged (Kazbek Botashev, - the "Caucasian Knot"). The latter is no longer alive, therefore, they try to accuse my client. After the debate, we expressed our opinion and asked the court to acquit him," N. Babukoev said.

Responding to the question on the defence's attitude to the Article "Murder accomplished by a group of persons on a prior conspiracy under the motive of religious hatred," that is incriminated to R. Koyushev, the lawyer answered: "There are no proofs that my client has professed this hatred."

The next court session was appointed on 11:00 a.m. Moscow time May 14.

Author: Elena Kostenko, CK correspondent