MOSCOW - A defence lawyer in the trial of three men charged in the killing of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya says the indictment indicates a politician in Russia was behind her slaying.
Russian prosecutors have suggested somebody from abroad ordered Politkovskaya killed in an effort to discredit and destabilize Russia.
But lawyer Murad Musayev says the indictment indicates a politician inside Russia was behind the killing as revenge for criticism in her reporting.
Musayev said Tuesday that the judge also ordered the trial opened to the public, the second reversal on the issue. Several reporters were then allowed into the courtroom.
Musayev said the judge asked the jury if they opposed an open trial and they said they did not.
