Man accused of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili's murder refuses to speak in court

In Berlin, a court held the first hearing in a case on the murder of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a native of the Pankisi Gorge. The defendant, who identified himself as construction worker Vadim Sokolov, exercised his right to remain silent. Political refugee Rubati Mitsaeva expressed hope that he would not be extradited to Russia.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Zelimkhan Khangoshvili was killed in Berlin on August 23, 2019. One of the two detainees is charged with murder. According to the German Prosecutor's Office, he "acted on behalf of the Russian government."

The judge pronounced that Vadim Krasikov was charged with murdering Tornike Kavtarashvili (this name was written in the Georgian passport of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili). A public prosecutor explained that since 2016, Tornike Kavtarashvili had been staying in Germany as a political refugee. The prosecutor also stated that "the contract murder of Tornike Kavtarashvili looked like a revenge on a political enemy."

The defendant himself claimed that his name was not Vadim Krasikov, but Vadim Sokolov. The man said that he "did not want to disclose any other information about himself."

"This murder is a demonstration of force by the Russian authorities to show that they can reach anyone, even in Europe," said political refugee Rubati Mitsaeva.