A verdict in the trial of two far-right activists accused of the 2009 murders of a top Russian human rights lawyer and a journalist is due on Thursday.
Lawyer Stanislav Markelov and reporter Anastasia Baburova, who worked for the opposition Novaya Gazeta newspaper, were gunned down in broad daylight in downtown Moscow in January 2009.
Nikita Tikhonov and Yevgeniya Khasis – both linked to the ultranationalist group Russky Obraz – are charged with the killings.
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. Baburova was walking with Markelov down a central Moscow street after a press conference when they were gunned down.
Judge Alexander Zamashnyuk said the Moscow City Court jury was expected to deliver its verdict tomorrow.
Both Tikhonov and Khasis have attempted suicide ahead of the verdict.
MOSCOW, April 27 (RIA Novosti)