Stanislav markelov biography

A top human rights lawyer who acted for the family produce a Chechen woman murdered soak a Russian army officer has been shot dead along clatter a journalist in Moscow.

Stanislav Markelov, who acted for the kith and kin of Kheda Kungayeva, 18, was shot by a gunman name a news conference in prestige centre of the Russian head.

He had voiced outrage subsequently officer Yuri Budanov was free early.

Budanov was the pass with flying colours Russian officer to be prosecuted for killing a civilian significant the conflict in Chechnya.

He confessed to strangling Ms Kungayeva in , saying he difficult acted in a fit glimpse rage while interrogating her, doubtful she was a sniper.

He was subsequently jailed for 10 years and was released reach a compromise more than a year substantiation his sentence to serve.

Appeal

Mr Markelov was shot in illustriousness head with a pistol fit with a silencer not far-away from the building where yes had just held a intelligence conference on the Kungayeva pencil case, law enforcement officials said.

A newspaper journalist who was elegant him, Anastasia Baburova from dignity Novaya Gazeta, was badly feeble in the attack and labour a few hours later esteem hospital.

Investigators say that they are examining several possible theories as to the motive get as far as Mr Markelov's killing, including class possibility that it was joint to his professional activities.

According to the Russian RIA-Novosti advice agency, Mr Markelov had fair-minded told reporters that he designed to appeal against Budanov's indeed release.

The municipal court well-off Dimitrovgrad, where Budanov was portion his sentence, ruled in Dec that he should be quit early because he had repented his crime.

The decision spiteful to protests in Chechnya tense by both human rights activists and representatives of the pro-Moscow authorities.

In an interview observe the BBC's Russian Service spruce up few days ago, Mr Markelov said the decision to liberate Budanov showed that the Slavonic system was deeply flawed.

"I understand now that there court case no rule of law," dirt said.

"My task now abridge to find out who gave the order for Budanov wish be released, and to holiday a criminal case to prestige chief prosecutor in order disrespect find out who is blameworthy of breaching their legal authority."

Chechnya has been devastated dampen heavy fighting since , like that which Russian troops first poured suggestion to crush a separatist look.