Sokiryanskaya: trial on Israilov's murder works clearly and consistently

The investigation into the murder of Umar Israilov, ex-guard of Chechen President, was held masterly; and the trial is held in accordance with international standards, said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya, a member of the international coalition of human rights organizations, which monitors this trial.

"I really like the way the litigation is held," Ms Sokiryanskaya told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "All the circumstances of the case are considered clearly and consistently. There is a feeling that really fair justice is executed."

According to her story, she is impressed by the respectful attitude of the court both to the victims and the defendants. "The jurymen look credible: they are listening very attentively and ask informed and clear-cut questions. The judge satisfies almost all the motions of the parties," said Ekaterina.

She asserts that in the course of questioning the prosecution witnesses from among the Chechens, who had been granted the refugee status in Austria, "it was felt how madly they are afraid." This fear is felt just physically, said the observer. "The witnesses of Chechen origin say directly that they are very much afraid to answer the questions of the court: they do not trust the persons in the courtroom and fear possible consequences for themselves and their families still living in the Chechen Republic," said Sokiryanskaya.

"One of the witnesses, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, told the court about Lecha Bogatyryov, the main suspect under the prosecution's version," she continued. "The witness explained that previously Bogatyryov was a member of Movladi Baisarov's grouping, stationed in the village of Pobedinskoye. Then he fled to Austria; and in January 2010 unexpectedly returned to Chechnya. After his return, villagers said that he came back after fulfilling some order to kill. He now heads a special militia squadron in Pobedinskoye having about hundred fighters under his command."

In their evidences witnesses often mentioned the names of Ramzan Kadyrov and his adviser Shaa Turlaev. Despite the fact that no direct evidences linking these men with the murder of the ex-guard of President of Chechnya were revealed in the courtroom, the judge found it necessary to give them a chance to testify in person or take part in a videoconference on the Skype.

For this purpose the judge has informally asked the potential witnesses to take part in the litigation through defendant Otto Kaltenbrunner, who several times during the trial stressed his close acquaintance with President of Chechnya. Having received no response through unofficial channels, on November 26, 2010, the judge decided to send an official request through the Ministry of Justice of Austria to the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation with a request to ensure a possibility to question four persons as witnesses: Ramzan Kadyrov, Shaa Turlaev, Lecha Bogatyryov and Arthur Kurmakaev.

"The judge sent an official invitation to Kadyrov as a sign of respect," said Ekaterina Sokiryanskaya. "If he comes, gives detailed evidences, and the court finds it clear that he has nothing to do with the crime, all speculations around Kadyrov will stop."

Today, the court on Umar Israilov's murder heard the main witness - his father Sharpudi. To ensure his safety, the Austrian authorities took unprecedented security measures. To get into the courthouse, one had to pass the check twice. It was forbidden to bring any communication means and metal-containing items to the courtroom.

Human rights defenders assert that today Sharpudi Israilov, who was kept for nearly a year as a hostage in a secret prison in Chechnya, in order to persuade his son Omar to come back from Europe, and was tortured, is the only living victim, who had filed a lawsuit against Ramzan Kadyrov. Apart of his assassinated son, another resident of Chechnya - Magomedsallakh Masaev - had filed a lawsuit against Kadyrov. Masaev was kidnapped by armed members of an unidentified power agency in central Grozny on August 3, 2008, and disappeared.