Advocate treats decision to close Nozdrinov's trial as unlawful

The acting chairman of the Novokubansk Court has banned visiting the trial of the Krasnodar journalist and blogger, Alexander Nozdrinov. Such a ban is illegal and interferes with interrogation of witnesses, a Nozdrinov's advocate has stated.

On June 21, by the court decision, about 20 visitors and a witness summoned by the defence were not let to the court session on the case of Nozdrinov, accused of discrediting the Russian Army. His advocate has declared gross violations during the trial; and Nozdrinov's relatives link his prosecution with his civic position and declare the court's bias, while the defence has presented proofs of his innocence.

Mikhail Benyash*, a lawyer from the Krasnodar Territory, who was deprived of his licence, reports in his Telegram channel, the ban on attending the trial by the persons who "are not the parties of the litigation" was introduced after Marina Melikhova, a blogger, had invited people to come to the courtroom.

For almost ten days already, the public and witnesses have not been allowed into the courtroom, Natalia Volivach, an advocate for Nozdrinov, has stated. She called this court order completely illegal and "direct interference in the judicial activities."

Let us remind you that on March 14, Alexander Isavnin, an expert, spoke at the trial. In his opinion, the proofs presented by the prosecution "have signs of falsification."

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.