In Grozny, journalists not allowed to visit trial of Ukrainian citizens Karpiuk and Klykh

On March 17, journalists of Ukrainian and international mass media outlets were not allowed to attend the court session in the city of Grozny (Chechnya) on the case of the citizens of Ukraine Mykola Karpiuk and Stanyslav Klykh. This was reported by Radio Liberty journalists Anastasiya Moskvychova from the site. Only relatives of the accused were allowed for the session, under excuse that the room where the trial was held was at its capacity. The Ukrainian citizens are accused of a homicide attempt and "participation in a gang" during the First Chechen war. The Ukrainian government considers the case to be fabricated. Karpiuk was abducted in Chernihivska oblast (Ukraine) in 2014, while Klykh was detained in the Russian Federation, in the city of Orel. Both claim to be not guilty and complain about illegal detention.