Savchenko denied jury trial 

MOSCOW – Russian investigators have rejected a request by jailed Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko to be tried by a jury and for the proceedings to be moved to Moscow instead of Voronezh, the city where she is being held. Ms. Savchenko’s lawyer Nikolai Polozov said on July 6 that he was informed via phone that “all the petitions have been denied and the case was transferred to the prosecutor’s office.” Her defense team said last week the preliminary hearing may be held in late July or early August. Russian authorities’ rejection of a jury trial potentially places Ms. Savchenko’s fate in the hands of a so-called troika – a judge and two public representatives. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Interfax and TASS)