The preliminary hearing in the case against the suspected murderers of Novaya Gazeta investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya will begin at Moscow City Court Monday, ITAR-TASS reported.
During the meeting, which will be held behind closed doors, the parties will be given the chance to submit a motion to the court, and to determine the order in which the evidence will be examined.
Several defendants stand accused of murdering the journalist in the lift of her residence in 2006 and are expected to ask for a jury trial.
According to investigators, Gaitukayev organized Politkovskaya's killing in October 2006 by hiring a criminal gang of three Chechen brothers, Rustam, Ibragim and Dzhabrail Makhmudov, and another former police official, Sergei Khadzhikurbanov.
In December ex-cop Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, who entered a plea bargain with the investigators, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for conspiring in the murder of Politkovskaya.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
