Chechen murder case verdict delayed

Russia still has a huge troop presence in Chechnya

A verdict has been postponed in the high profile trial of a Russian colonel, charged with abducting and killing a young woman in Chechnya.

Psychiatrists have already evaluated Budanov twice

The judge, Victor Kostin, said more psychiatric tests were necessary.

The colonel, Yuri Budanov, has admitted killing the 18-year-old Chechen, Elsa Kungayev, who was abducted, raped and strangled.

But his lawyers argue he cannot be found guilty of murder, as he was suffering from a fit of insanity brought on by the stress of the war in Chechnya.

Colonel Budanov has already been evaluated twice by psychiatrists.

The BBC Moscow correspondent, Caroline Wyatt, says the case is being seen as an key test of justice in Russia, which she says could send a signal to other Russian soldiers that crimes committed in Chechnya will be punished.

Prosecutor replaced

On Monday, the prosecutor in the case was replaced on health grounds, and his successor said he was making changes.

Lawyers from the girl's family have been calling the trial in the south Russian city of Rostov a mockery of justice.

The new prosecutor, Vladimir Milovanov, said on Thursday he would like to "change the position of the prosecution on the assessment of the actions of the accused".

Judge Kostin initially insisted that the court would nonetheless pass its verdict on Tuesday, but later changed his mind.

'Sniper'

Colonel Budanov became the highest-ranking officer to be charged after he admitted strangling the girl two years ago, while on combat service in Chechnya.

The initial prosecution case was that he had dragged Elsa from her home at night and then raped and murdered her in a drunken rage.

But Colonel Budanov's lawyers argue that he killed her in the belief she was a Chechen rebel sniper and that he was suffering from temporary insanity brought on by the stress of his job.

They have demanded that the colonel be acquitted on all charges.

The charge of rape was earlier thrown out by the court but, if convicted of murder, the officer faces a 20-year prison sentence.