The man charged with the murders of a Russian lawyer and an independent journalist tried to take his own life, a law enforcement source said on Tuesday.
Nikita Tikhonov attempted to slash his veins and was taken to a prison hospital just ahead of Wednesday's court hearing.
Human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and Novaya Gazeta reporter Anastasia Baburova were gunned down in downtown Moscow in January 2009.
Tikhonov and Yevgeniya Khasis, both linked to the ultranationalist group Russky Obraz, have been charged in the killings.
The law enforcement source said Tikhonov's wounds were "superficial," his life was out of danger and there was no impediment to his court appearance.
"Doctors have come to the conclusion that it was a simulation of suicide," he said.
Vladimir Zherebenkov, a lawyer for Baburova's relatives, said the incident was an attempt to drag out the trial and plead for clemency.
Russia's Investigative Committee believes Baburova was killed as a witness to the murder of Markelov, who was an active member of an anti-fascist movement.
Tikhonov has denied most of the charges against him, only admitting to the use of forged documents.
Khasis denied all charges against her, adding that Tikhonov had been framed to cover the name of the real killer.
MOSCOW, April 26 (RIA Novosti)
