The Russian Supreme Court dismissed the cassation appeal filed by the attorneys of Nikita Tikhonov and Yevgenia Khasis, thus upholding the Moscow City Court's initial verdict. Both Tikhonov and Khasis watched the proceedings by video feed from the Lefortovo pre-trial detention centre as the fateful ruling was handed down.

On 6 May Federal Judge Aleksandr Zamashnyuk, drawing on the jury's verdict, sentenced Tikhonov to life in prison and Khasis to 18 years behind bars...

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Editorial preview Novaya Gazeta is closely following the nonpublic activities of parliamentary parties. As it turns out, undercover activities are much more important than speeches delivered by party bosses in parliament or their voting...