Chechen Jury Trial Judgment Affirmed

Russia’s Supreme Court affirmed an acquittal judgment entered by the Supreme Court of Chechnya on a “not guilty” jury verdict in May 2011. Four defendants were charged with terrorism, including several bomb attacks. After the acquittal the prosecution challenged the judgment on the ground that the jury had been formed illegally. Allegedly, some jurors had relatives who are convicted criminals and guerilla members. The defense, however, pointed out that the relatives in question were nephews of the jurors, which is not disallowed by the jury trial legislation. Russia’s Supreme Court agreed with the defense. Apparently, this is the first jury trial judgment to enter into force in Chechnya, the last Russian region where trial by jury was introduced.

http://www.lenta.ru/news/2011/08/17/chechjury/