Human rights activists of Kabardino-Balkaria link restriction of juries with the Nalchik attack case

The participants of the roundtable, held at the Public Human Rights Centre of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) believe that the restriction of juries is related to the particular criminal case, which considers the events on October 13, 2005, in Kabardino-Balkaria.

"In our opinion, the refusal from juries in cases dealing with terrorism and other anti-state crimes means a departure from democracy standards. These amendments are contradictory to the Constitution," said the head of the Centre Valery Khatazhukov in his opening word.

In Mr Khatazhukov's opinion, the very fact that at the process in the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria the prosecution stood for cancelling the jury on the criminal case on the events of October 13, 2005, indicates that the accusation party was not sure of the "guilty" verdict for the majority of defendants.

Other participants of the event have also concluded that after consideration of this particular case the restrictions may be lifted, as they are against the Constitution.

They have adopted a statement saying that "such approach of the state to its judiciary violates the basic principles of legal proceedings and leads to curtailing civil rights and freedoms."