Kondopoga, in the Republic of Karelia, saw a wave of racial violence in early September after two Russians were killed in a restaurant brawl with Chechens. The incident sparked race-motivated violence in the community, and a wave of nationalist protests elsewhere in the country.
Filipp Zakharov, deputy prosecutor of Karelia, said at a meeting with government and public officials that final investigations will be held this week, after which charges will be brought against suspects.
He said proceedings could drag out because the suspects' first language is not Russian, and they may need an interpreter.
Sergei Katanandov, the republic's governor, said he hopes the court will hear the case before considering investigations into participants of anti-Caucasus riots.
"Naturally, it is much easier to gather evidence against young boys who are spotted on the street by surveillance cameras, but murderers must be punished first," he said.
A total of 109 people were detained in the city on suspicion of involvement in pogroms and arson attacks, and 25 rioters were arrested. Seventeen criminal cases were opened following the incident.
