5.  The applicant was born in 1977 and is serving a sentence of imprisonment in the Novosibirsk Region. 6.  The applicant was arrested on suspicion of murder. Legal aid counsel was appointed to represent him. The applicant and his accomplice were accused of having unlawfully entered the victim’s flat and having robbed him. The applicant was also charged with having wounded the victim with a knife, causing the victim’s death. 7.  On 11 October 2001 the Novosibirsk Regional Court appointed another legal aid counsel to represent the applicant at the trial. The applicant admitted the relevant facts, while giving a version of the events which differed from that of his accomplice. In particular, he made admissions to the effect that he had wounded the victim in a fight and had then taken his belongings in order to simulate a robbery. 8.  On 16 October 2001 the Regional Court convicted the applicant of murder and robbery and sentenced him to seventeen years’ imprisonment. In his points of appeal to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation the applicant challenged the admissibility and assessment of evidence by the trial court. He asked the court to ensure his attendance at the appeal hearing. 9.  The applicant asked for legal assistance with a view to preparing for the appeal hearing. No response was received. On 20 June 2002 the Supreme Court granted the applicant leave to appear in person. 10.  On 31 October 2002 the Supreme Court upheld the applicant’s conviction on appeal. The applicant was not represented. According to the applicant, the hearing was conducted by means of a videoconferencing facility (VCF). The Government, however, submitted that the applicant “had been present at the hearing”. 11.  The applicant lodged a request dated 22 August 2003 for supervisory review of his conviction. This request was received by the Supreme Court on 26 September 2003. In another request dated 31 October 2002, received by the Supreme Court on 26 September 2003, the applicant challenged the appeal decision of 31 October 2002. He alleged that he had not been afforded an opportunity to be present at the appeal hearing and had not been provided with the assistance of counsel. By a decision of 25 May 2004, a Supreme Court judge rejected his request.