The prosecution called for a life sentence for Nikita Tikhonov on Thursday for the killing of lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova in 2009.
Markelov and Baburova, who worked for the liberal Novaya Gazeta newspaper, were gunned down in broad daylight in downtown Moscow in January 2009.
A jury found Tikhonov and his civil partner Yevgenia Khasis guilty of the murders on April 28. Both are linked to the outlawed ultranationalist group, Russky Obraz.
Public prosecutor Boris Loktionov said Tikhonov deserved no clemency and asked that Khasis be sentenced to 20 years in prison when the final sentencing is made later on Thursday.
“Social justice must be restored,” Loktionov said.
His position was supported by lawyers representing the families of Markelov and Baburova.
Russia’s Investigative Committee believes Baburova was killed as a witness to the murder of Markelov, who was an active member of an anti-fascist movement.
The defense has failed to cite any attenuating circumstances or produce any character references on their clients.
Both Tikhonov and Khasis attempted suicide last week.
MOSCOW, May 5 (RIA Novosti)