Moscow City Court leaves Buraev, suspect in Politkovskaya's case, under arrest

Yesterday, the Moscow City Court found the arrest of Shamil Buraev, former head of the Achkhoy-Martan District of Chechnya, accused of conspiracy in the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, an observer of the "Novaya Gazeta", to be legitimate.

"The Judicial Board of the Moscow City Court has defined to uphold the decision of the Basmanny Court of Moscow to select the freedom restriction measure in relation to Buraev as custody, and hereby leaves the cassation complaints of the defence without satisfaction," runs the Court's ruling as the ITAR-TASS reports.

Advocates of Mr Buraev had insisted on illegality of his arrest and asked to cancel the decision of the Moscow District Court and change the freedom restriction measure for the one not entailing deprivation of liberty, informs the state-owned Internet channel "Russia" reports. However, the Court has supported the arguments of the state accusation that, when at large, Buraev can disappear, hamper the investigation, destroy exhibits or exert pressure on the witnesses.

Earlier, the "Caucasian Knot" informed that the main figurants of Anna Politkovskaya's case had started to testify against each other. As of today, three confrontations have been held. One of them took place between Shamil Buraev and Pavel Ryuaguzov, who accused of abusing his service position in finding out Anna Politkovskaya's residence.

Shamil Buraev was detained on September 13, and two days later he was indicted of conspiracy in Anna Politkovskaya's murder. The ex-head of the district was arrested almost one month after detention of other figurants in the case. He was detained at an attempt to leave the country - with his air tickets in hand.

During the confrontation, Pavel Ryuaguzov has evidenced that it was Buraev who had asked him to establish the residence of the journalist. Buraev himself insists on his innocence asserting that Pavel Ryuaguzov has slandered him.