About the case: Vasily Strizhakov, along with five accomplices, is accused of attempting to assassinate television host Vladimir Solovyov (A prominent Russian TV presenter and one of the key figures in the dissemination of propaganda).
The case is being heard by the 2nd Western District Military Court, presided over by Judge Oleg Alexandrovich Belousov.
The start of the session was delayed by three hours due to a convoy delay. The court’s website was down for the first half of the day. All parties were present in person, with adequate sound quality, and microphones were set up near the “glass boxes” for the defendant and witnesses. The representative of the victim, Solovyov, plans to participate in the closing arguments but is currently absent. There are many journalists, all of whom were allowed entry.
Rights were explained. Strizhakov claimed he was not notified of the hearing date, but when shown a receipt with his signature, he admitted he may have simply forgotten.
The prosecutor presented the case: the NS/WP (a Russian neo-Nazi group) ran a Telegram channel, acquired explosives, set fire to military recruitment centers, forged passports for fleeing to Ukraine, switched apartments and phones, and had an agreement to commit suicide by overdose if pursued. The Telegram channel engaged in promoting terrorism and Nazi ideology. Solovyov publicly supported the special military operation (SMO), which led NS/WP to plan his assassination under orders from Artem Deriglazov, who is serving a life sentence in Ukraine, with the aim of receiving financial compensation. The prosecutor described the roles of each group member, stating that Strizhakov was responsible for gathering information on Solovyov’s movements using cameras. Strizhakov acted in a state of diminished capacity.
Strizhakov denied guilt, stating he did not understand the nature of the accusations. His attorney questioned the basis of the charges against Strizhakov, asserting that he had no knowledge of or involvement in the alleged crimes. The judge told the defense that they would have an opportunity to elaborate on this position later.
Witnesses were called.
During a recess, Druzhinin’s attorney approached the glass box and advised him to speak vaguely and avoid disclosing new information. Druzhinin claimed he did not know Strizhakov and had only heard about him in passing, specifically that he knew how to produce drugs.
He did not communicate with his attorney, stating it was unnecessary. The attorney nodded in agreement. Abrarov claimed he was seeing Strizhakov for the first time and denied his involvement with the organization.
Most of the questioning of both witnesses centered on the activities of other NS/WP members, with little focus on Strizhakov. Following the testimony of both witnesses, the prosecutor noted contradictions in their statements and read their previous statements, to which the witnesses raised no objections. A third witness was brought in, but his attorney had left before questioning, so he was not interviewed. The prosecutor read previously submitted testimonies from several other absent witnesses. One female witness stated she had never seen Strizhakov and primarily discussed other defendants.
Another witness said she had seen Strizhakov twice at an apartment where the group gathered, stating that she did not take their plans to kill Solovyov seriously. The prosecutor spent a few minutes reading that Pronsky transferred funds to “prisoners of conscience.”
The session concluded with a motion by the defense attorney to adjourn.
