Trial on Kaitov's case is over in Karachayevo-Cherkessia

Today, the Supreme Court of the Karachayevo-Cherkessian Republic held another regular session on the criminal case of Ali Kaitov et al., accused of murdering seven citizens of the Republic. The Court ruled to extend the defendants' custody up to December 27, 2006.

In their last statement, the defendants refused to admit their guilt. The Court retired to the consultation room till 10 a.m. December 18, 2006, to make the verdict.

We remind you that 7 citizens of Karachayevo-Cherkessia disappeared at night from October 10 to 11, 2004, among them - Rasul Bogatyryov, a national parliamentary. According to their relatives, the young people went on that night to the summer house of Ali Kaitov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the OJSC "Kavkaz-Cement," and then machinegun fire was heard nearby for half an hour. The bodies of the seven missing persons were found on November 9 burnt and hidden in a deserted mine near aul Kumysh of the Karachaev District of Karachayevo-Cherkessia. 16 persons are in the prisoner's box. Eight of them, including Kaitov, are accused of murdering the seven citizens of the Republic. Other eight culprits (militiamen) are charged of crime concealment.