MOSCOW — A Moscow court has adjourned the high-profile libel trial against prominent Russian music critic Artyom Troitsky as it awaits a key piece of evidence, RFE/RL’s Russian Service reports.
Vadim Samoylov, a former member of the rock band Agata Kristi, filed the libel lawsuit against Troitsky earlier this year.
Samoylov said Troitsky called him a “trained poodle” of Kremlin deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov during an interview with the station RenTV last year.
He is demanding 1 million rubles (about $35,600) from Troitsky in damages.
RenTV has refused to give the court the videotape of the Troitsky interview. RenTV said it destroys all of its tapes after a certain period of time.
The court decided on July 18 to submit a special request to Russia’s State Archive for Television and Radio Programs to provide a copy of the recording.
Troitsky has frequently criticized the Russian government. Many observers consider the case against him to be politically motivated.
The case is due to resume on August 1.
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