On July 13, the Moscow City Court was supposed to continue considering the high-profile appeal…

On July 13, the Moscow City Court was supposed to continue considering the high-profile appeal in the case of ex-police colonel Dmitry Zakharchenko. The process started on November 15 last year (the Cheka-OGPU wrote about it here), but was postponed several times due to protests from Zakharchenko, who complained about the inability to familiarize himself with the case materials and audio protocols, as well as the serious illness of businessman Valery Markelov (terminal pancreatic cancer stage) due to which he was unable to participate in the process.

On the day when the court was supposed to familiarize itself with the results of the next medical examination initiated by the investigation, Markelov died. Lawyers reported that death occurred at three o’clock in the morning on July 13. The Cheka-OGPU wrote about this even before the meeting began.

Outside the courtroom, one could clearly hear a comparison between Markelov and Magnitsky. “This death is on the conscience of state prosecutor Digaeva and judge Artemov,” said one of those present.

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The medical examination, announced in the operative part, again and already post mortem confirmed Markelov’s fatal illness.

The court hearing was postponed until August 3 due to the fact that Markelov’s death certificate was not received by the court, and the court does not have the opportunity to decide anything on the merits.

The Cheka-OGPU will monitor developments.