Stanislav Markelov, Russian lawyer: biography, photo

The profession of a lawyer in Russia acquired unusual popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. Even now, the country's institutions are full of lawyers of all possible qualifications, but there are not really many good professionals among them.

Courage, ability to defend one's opinion before others, no matter what, is a distinctive feature of a high-profile lawyer. All of these features were inherent in one of the most famous human rights activists of the 1990-2000s, Stanislav Yurievich Markelov. His work was almost always connected with the famous scandalous deeds of that period in the history of Russia, and even his life and death became a loud public event.

Biography

Stanislav Markelov was born in Moscow in 1974. Already at the age of 19 he sought to participate directly in the life of society, always on the front line. So, in 1993 during the bloody events of "Black October", Markelov helped the victims of the military actions. At about the same time, he joins the Social Democrats of Russia, actively participates in actions to protect the rights of students. Perhaps, it was these circumstances that influenced the future choice of the profession, and in 1997 he graduated from the State Law Academy of Moscow.

The International Club and Union of Advocates are one of the most prestigious communities in the world, and their member is a young specialist - Stanislav Markelov. The biography of this man also includes the foundation of the Institute of the Rule of Law, which he himself headed.

Professional activity

From the very beginning Markelov was identified as a specialist in war crimes, terrorist events, especially those that received a wide resonance in the society. Everyone knew him as an active antifascist, who continued to fight for human rights in the difficult conditions of democracy in Russia.

Stanislav Markelov is a lawyer who was not afraid of even the most complicated and seemingly losing processes. In the late 90's, he worked on the case of Andrei Sokolov, who was accused of the explosion of the memorial of the imperial family in the cemetery Vagankova, as well as the monument to Nicholas II. Initially, all the data were classified, and the person involved was equated with terrorists. Markelov was able to ensure that the case was re-qualified, and eventually Sokolov was presented with an article on the damage to state property.

In his practice, he had more than once faced crimes of a terrorist nature. So, in the "Krasnodar case" Larisa Shiptsova, Stanislav Markevich Markelov proved that he was subjected to pressure from the prosecution, but with the intention of further defense, the accused was finally brought in as a witness and deprived of the right to represent her interests.

He participated as a human rights defender in the analysis of many high-profile murders. He was one of the lawyers in the Budanov case, he was not afraid to speak against the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov on the issue of protecting the rights of the former militant Zaur Musahainov, he was involved in the process of taking hostages on Dubrovka. Stanislav Markelov, It would seem, chose the most interesting and controversial lawsuits, and, most importantly, often won them.

Scandalous fame, accompanying him all his life, played a fatal role in his death.

Threats and the first attack

Neo-Nazis drew attention to Stanislav Markelov back in 2004, when he represented the interests of the family of Elsa Kungarova, kidnapped and killed by Yuri Budanov. The Russian human rights activist advocated a more severe punishment for the former colonel, which, in turn, aroused dissatisfaction on the part of radical groups.

In April 2004, several men attacked Markelov at one of the metro stations, he was beaten and important documents were taken away. The victim tried to initiate an investigation, but the case did not get any progress. Around the same time on the sites of fascist organizations, his name appeared in the list of possible targets for revenge.

It is noteworthy that on the day of the murder Stanislav Markelov also attended the scandalous case, which was the reason for the rumors about this event as the reason for the death of the lawyer.

Fatal day

On January 19, 2004, Markelov participated in a press conference at which the parole of Yuri Budanov was discussed. In particular, the human rights defender of the Kungaeva family declared their disagreement with the decision of the court of the Ulyanovsk region and promised to do everything to abolish it.

After the end of the press conference Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova Left the building on Prechistenka and headed for the car when a man walking in a black jacket walked around them and shot a lawyer in the back of the head. The death of a young journalist, in all likelihood, was accidental. Judging by the video from the nearest security cameras, she tried to detain the killer, but got a bullet in her head. According to others, Baburova was also the target, her articles were often devoted to informal groupings in Russia.

The man, later identified as an ultranationalist Nikita Tikhonov, disappeared from the crime scene, dispersing passers-by with a pistol. Markelov died immediately, the girl first stayed alive, but died already in the hospital.

Anastasia Baburova - an unintended victim

There are a lot of questions in this crime. For example, what connected the scandalous lawyer and the young freelance journalist of Novaya Gazeta, why did they kill the two of them, why on this day?

Anastasia Baburova was a bright and extraordinary person. Despite her young age, she knew several languages, studied at MGIMO, where she left on her own initiative, and in the near future she had to defend her diploma in journalism at Moscow State University.

Nastia is an activist of the anti-fascist movement, and she was not limited to just writing articles, she held rallies and herself took part in various protests against the activities of neo-Nazis, and protected the rights of migrants from the near abroad.

Baburova also received threats from the camp of the Nazis, but, according to friends, she was not afraid or retreated from her ideas. She even practiced some martial arts, probably, therefore, she was not afraid to rush to her killer.

The investigation considered her death as an accident, although, given the direction of the beginning journalist, it is impossible to deny the possibility of a deliberate attack in advance.

After the shot, the girl was still alive for a while, but the ambulance arrived at the scene after only 40 minutes. Later, Anastasia's father will say that his daughter could still be saved.

Versions

Immediately after the crime, the investigation suggested that the murder of Markelov was directly related to his activities as a lawyer. Those who knew the human rights defender immediately reported the connection between the crime and the case of Budanov. Stanislav Markelov wanted to appeal against the court's decision to release the colonel before the end of the term, and, according to Lev Ponomaryov, Stanislav Yuryevich received threats on this occasion more than once.

The same opinion was expressed by the Kungayev family living at that time in Norway, they directly linked the way out of Budanov prison and the murder of a lawyer. Although the disgraced colonel himself completely denied his involvement, saying that he did not have any sense in killing anyone at all.

The second version, which later became the main one, is the revenge of neo-Nazis for Markelov's professional activity, because he successfully defended the rights of anti-fascists in court.

Many tried to find the Chechen trace in this murder, the defendants of the lawyer at various times became people disliked by the government. He was engaged in the case of the abduction of Mokhmadsalakh Masayev, and even wanted to file documents with the European Court of Human Rights regarding his disappearance.

Investigation

The prosecutor's office immediately instituted criminal proceedings under art. 105 h. 1. However , the suspect was detained after almost a year. All this time the journalists conducted their investigation, the brother of the murdered, former State Duma deputy Mikhail Markelov, several times made statements that he knows the criminals and he himself actively cooperates with the investigation.

November 3, was detained ex-member of the organization RNU (Russian National Unity) Nikita Tikhonov and his assistant Yevgeniya Khasis. The version of the reason for the killing of revenge was confirmed. After all, Stanislav Markelov often helped the supporters of the anti-fascist movement avoid prison. Moreover, such a death could be a symbol of the power of neo-Nazis, an instrument of intimidation for others.

Court

Since the case received a great public response, the investigation lasted almost two years, the accusation could not allow any doubt in the evidence and evidence, the whole process was constantly under the increased attention of society and even the government of the country.

Suspect Tikhonov admitted his guilt, but categorically denied involvement in nationalist groups. At trial, he regretted the murder of Anastasia Baburova, calling him a mistake. And also the fault and Evgenia Khasis, who tracked the movement of the Russian human rights defender, was recognized.

On April 28, 2011, the jury decided. Both prisoners did not deserve indulgence, Tikhonov received life imprisonment, his accomplice in crime - 18 years.

Public response

The murder of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova caused a storm of various comments.

The Director-General of UNESCO reacted extremely sharply, defining this crime as a deadly blow to human rights in the Russian Federation. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, but urged not to attach political color to the matter.

The reaction of Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who not only said that Stanislav Markelov is a true patriot, but also awarded him posthumously with a medal, is interesting in this vein.

Markelov's comrades in professional activity and in the similarity of ideology noted the great importance of the death of a human rights activist. They noted the backwardness and cowardice of Russian society, in contrast to which the tragically lost lawyer was not afraid to express his thoughts and beliefs in public.

Memory

This double murder affected not only those who knew Markelov and Baburin. A few days after the event, not indifferent people were going to the crime scene, they met and discussed what had happened.

In 2012, 2013 and 2015, the anti-fascist community organized rallies in memory of the dead, men and women came with placards and slogans calling for respect for human rights in Russia, for the sake of observance of which Stanislav Markelov lived and worked, for which he killed a famous human rights activist.

The memory of him still lives. His steadfastness and perseverance can serve as an example to anyone who tries in law practice. He was one of the first not afraid to remain consistent in upholding his point of view, was able to focus on the facts in the work, and not on the imposed main version of what happened.