NALCHIK, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Over 40 defendants accused of involvement in a 2005 attack by militants on the southern Russian city of Nalchik launched a hunger strike on Tuesday demanding hospital treatment for a fellow suspect.
In 2005, a large group of militants staged an assault on Nalchik, capital of Russia's southern republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, targeting the city's main police and security bodies. Some 15 civilians, 35 police and 95 assailants were killed in the attacks.
During Tuesday's court proceedings, one of the defendants, Sergei Kaziyev, fell ill and received medical treatment. Doctors later said Kaziyev was well enough to attend court.
Lawyer Magomed Abubakarov filed an appeal demanding the trial be postponed. However, the court rejected the appeal and the trial, involving 58 defendants, continued.
One of the defendants, Valery Bolov, died in February 2008 of cirrhosis of the liver.
