Trial in camera of the attack on Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria

On October 11 at 10 a.m., the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria will start its closed (in camera) preliminary hearings on the criminal case on the events of October 13, 2005, when militants made an attack on Nalchik.

It has become known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from well-informed circles that the judicial sessions will be held in camera - apart from the participants of process nobody will be admitted.

We remind you that there are 59 defendants in the case accused under the following Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation: "terrorism," "attempt on the life of employees of law enforcement bodies," "participation in armed rebellion," etc. The criminal case file makes more than a thousand volumes.

There is information that on the eve of the process some of the defendants expressed distrust to their advocates and refused from their services. Defence of one of such defendants will be made by the Human Rights Centre "Memorial."

We remind you that on October 13, 2005, the city of Nalchik was stirred up with explosions and shooting. About 200 armed militants attacked 11 objects of power structures two hunting shops in the KBR capital.

The total count of casualties was 95 persons. One of the attackers - Illes Gorchkhanov - proved to be a resident of Ingushetia. All others were local, mainly residents of Nalchik.

As a result of the attack, 35 employees of law enforcement bodies and 14 peaceful citizens were also lost. The damage worth over 71 million roubles was caused to the city.

Two basic versions exist of what had happened.

The first version belonging to law enforcement bodies states that it was an organized action of Wahhabites with the aim to seize power and set up the Islamic Khalifat in Northern Caucasus.

The second version, which has been voiced by victims' relatives, human rights activists and the liberal press, runs that the armed revolt of the Moslems was a protest against oppressions from law enforcement bodies.