Babitsky demands acquittal saying that journalists are oppressed in Russia

Today in the Daghestan city of Makhachkala the appeal of radio “Liberty” correspondent Andrew Babitsky about Sovetsky district court decision made October 2000 is being considered. The court sentenced Babitsky to 8,4 thousand rubles (about 300 dollars) of penalty because of using false passport and released him from punishment in connection with amnesty. Babitsky didn’t agree with the court’s decision and appealed to the higher authority of the republic demanding complete acquittal, NTV reports. He stated that the accusation of using a false passport was feigned by RF special services. According to Babitsky, “today a journalist can find himself in the dock for his professional activity on any criminal accusation” It is astonishing that so far Babitsky is the only Russian journalist who “has found himself in the deck”. That is grotesquely, but today’s trial has a good chance of success, in spite of the fact that Babitsky’s contacts with Chechen leaders are beyond any doubt, as well as the fact that his reports from the operations zone are biassed. Suffice it to remind that in one of his reports Babitsky said that Chechen were cruel to soldiers “not because they are sadists…but because for them it’s the way to make the war more visible, more vivid and distinct… “ The mouthpiece of Chechen militants should have been removed from Chechnya for anti-Russian propaganda at least. It was done. But in a in a very crude way. From the moment he was arrested until the trial began “Babitsky’s case” caused too many questions which are staying without answer to present day. His lawyers can achieve his acquittal, emphasising court regulations violations. But it is unclear how they are going to prove the theory that “Babitsky’s case” was feigned by Russian special services.