Russian serviceman, killed 18-year-old Chechen girl, stands trial

The Russian officer is accused of murdering an 18-year-old Chechen girl. It is for the first time since the beginning of the operation in Chechnya that criminal proceedings have been instituted against a Russian serviceman. The first court session to hear the case of Colonel Yury Budanov from the federal forces in Chechnya took place in Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, today. The case is being considered by the North Caucasian District Military Court, RIA Novosti reports. The first session announced the composition of the court and participants in the trial, and considered the petitions of the sides. On Thursday the trial will continue.