Week in the Caucasus: review of main events of June 26-July 2

Announcement of the jury's verdict in Boris Nemtsov's murder case; capture by Ukrainian soldiers of a Russian citizen, whose mother reported about his military service in the Rostov Region; beating at the Yerevan court of defendants in the "Sasna Tsrer" case, – see the review of these and other events in the Caucasus during the week of June 26-July 2, 2017, prepared by the "Caucasian Knot".

Jury announces its verdict in Boris Nemtsov's murder case

On June 29, at the Moscow District Military Court, the jury pronounced the verdict in the case of Boris Nemtsov's murder. All five defendants were found guilty and not deserving leniency. In particular, Zaur Dadaev, a former officer, whom investigators called the killer of Boris Nemtsov, was found guilty of committing the crime. In resonant murder cases, including Boris Nemtsov's murder, the search for customers will be continued, said Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary for the President of Russia.

The criminal case also involves Chechen officers Ruslan Geremeev, his driver Ruslan Mukhudinov, and Beslan Shavanov, who was killed during his detention. In his interview to the "Caucasian Knot", advocate Vadim Prokhorov said that investigators proved the validity of victims' demand to attract top-ranking officials from Chechnya to the inquiry. According to the politician's daughter, the verdict failed to name the customer of the murder.

Ukrainian soldiers capture Russian citizen whose mother reports his military service in Rostov Region

Ukrainian soldiers captured four fighters of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (known as LNR), including Victor Ageyev, a Russian soldier, who served in the Rostov Region, the media report. According to Victor Ageyev's mother, after the end of his regular service, her son served under a military contract he signed this March. However, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported that Victor Ageyev was not engaged in military service under a contract in the Rostov Region. Russia will do everything possible to protect Victor Ageyev, stated Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary for the President of Russia. According to his story, Victor Ageyev served in the LNR's People's Militia. Sergey Krivenko, a member of the Human Rights Council, believes that Russia will try to exchange Victor Ageyev for captured Ukrainian soldiers.

At Yerevan court, policemen beat up defendants in "Sasna Tsrer" case

On June 28, in Yerevan, before the court session in the case against 14 members of the "Sasna Tsrer" (Daredevils) detachment, a fight broke out of defendants with policemen right in the courthouse. Three defendants were taken out of the courtroom, and a protocol was drawn up against David Egiazaryan, a supporter of the "Sasna Tsrer", on an attempt to use force against law enforcers. The fight began after a policeman intercepted a note, which Areg Kyuregyan, one of the defendants, tried to pass over to his advocate. The advocate had visited Areg Kyuregyan at the "Nubarashen" prison and saw bruises on his face. Advocates reported that Araik Khandoyan, another defendant, was also beaten up in the courtroom. According to advocates, their client was not provided with medical assistance. Advocate Ara Papikyan claimed that Araik Khandoyan, Areg Kyuregyan, Smbat Barsegyan, Mkhitar Avetisyan, and Gagik Egiazaryan were tortured in the courthouse. The General Prosecutor's Office of Armenia has stated that investigators will define the circumstances of the incident. The police have treated the use of force as justified.

North Ossetia and Krasnodar Territory announce preparations for elections to their Legislative Assemblies

Southern Russia has launched preparations for the elections to take place on September 10, on the common day of voting. On July 1, the Election Commission for North Ossetia registered the first party to take part in the elections to the republic's parliament. Members of the Election Commission supported the decision to register the list prepared by the "Communists of Russia" Party. The list included 70 candidates for local MPs. On June 26, in Krasnodar, the territorial branch of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) announced that it would take part in the elections. The party list will be headed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the LDPR leader. Besides, on June 26, the Krasnodar territorial branch of the "Edinaya Rossiya" (United Russia) Party released the list of winners of its primaries, which includes 134 candidates.

Harvesting campaign launched in Southern Russia

Last week, the southern regions of Russia began to harvest grain crops. On June 26, the press service for the Governor of the Stavropol Territory reported that the harvesting is underway in the eastern regions of the Stavropol Territory. The gross yield reached 1.2 thousand tons. This year, the regional agrarians' activities were interfered with by the invasion of locusts, which resulted in the introduction of an emergency regime in three districts. Besides, according to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Stavropol Territory, in nine districts, heavy rains resulted in flooding of crops on the area of 10,500 hectares. The preliminary damage is estimated to be 75 million roubles. Besides, on June 26, the Kuban Governor Veniamin Kondratiev reported the start of the harvesting campaign in the Krasnodar Territory, despite "such surprises as rains and cold weather." On July 1, Chechnya also announced the start of the harvesting campaign. Chechen agrarians reported the lack of new equipment to be their main problem.