Russians detained in Qatar await trial

The trial of two Russians arrested in Qatar six weeks ago has not started yet, a diplomatic source in Doha, the capital of Qatar, told RIA Novosti over the phone.

According to the source, the Russians have not been called to court yet, as the investigation of the assassination that they are charged with has not been completed. The Russians are charged with the assassination of Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, a former leader of Chechen extremists. Qatari authorities contend that on February 13 in Doha, two members of the Russian special services put a bomb under Mr. Yandarbiyev's car.

On Monday, Khamad al Tani, Qatar's foreign minister, reported that trial of the two Russian citizens had already started. No details were given.

There are a number of Russian lawyers in Doha but they will be unable to help if the two Russians are tried by a Shariat court. A Shariat court functions like a civil court in Qatar. The power of the defendant is greatly restricted in a trial. In Qatar, serious crimes are usually tried under Shariat law.