Three acquitted in murder of Forbes Russian editor

Wire reports from Russia are reporting on Friday that three men on trial for the murder of former Forbes Russia editor Paul Klebnikov have been acquitted.

A Russian wire service reported, “‘The jury acquitted our clients by a majority vote,’ defense lawyer Ruslan Khasanov said. ‘I am happy that justice has finally triumphed in Russia.’

“The acquitted were released from custody after the verdict was handed down. Prosecutors said they would appeal the decision

“Prosecutors in the case claimed Kazbek Dukuzov, Musa Vakhayev and notary Fail Sadretdinov – all three ethnic Chechens – gunned down Klebnikov on July 9, 2004, on the orders of Chechen businessman Khozh-Akhmed Nukhayev, who wanted revenge after Khlebnikov’s critical book ‘Conversations with a Barbarian’ featured him as the central figure.”

Read more here.

Another Russian wire service report noted, “The family of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of Forbes Russia magazine killed two years ago in Moscow, said Friday they respected a jury decision to acquit three defendants of his murder.

“‘We agree with the ruling and are not going to appeal the verdict at all,’ family lawyer Larisa Maslennikova said.

“‘Michael Klebnikov, the brother of the late [journalist], has been informed about the acquittal,’ she said. ‘He took the news like a civilized man. He respects the court decision.'”

A Reuters story is here.