KBR's Adaptation Commission speaks in support of Aslan Konov

The Adaptation Commission under the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), set up to help people, who decide to stop their terrorist and extremist activities, in adapting to civilian life, has considered an application of Aslan Konov, a resident of the settlement of Planovsky of the Terek District. The Commission decided to ask the court to take into account, at sentencing, all the circumstances of the Konov's case, including his voluntary refusal to commit crimes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2015 Konov made an attempt to get into Syria via Turkey. After returning home in August, he, according to his version, came to the district FSB division and told his story; however, on February 25, 2016, he was detained.

According to Valery Khatazhukov, the head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) of the KBR, from February 2016 Konov has been kept at SIZO-1 (pre-trial prison) of Nalchik. His case will be considered by the Rostov Military Garrison Court.

Mr Khatazhukov doubts the assertions of the Centre to Combat Extremism of the KBR's Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) that Konov had been deported from Turkey by force.

"Konov should be released from criminal liability, since he had voluntarily gave up the commission of crimes," he said, referring to the respective article of the Russian Criminal Code.

According to the rights defender, the prosecution of Konov could serve as a stopping factor for those who decided to abandon their plans to take part in terrorist activities.

Arthur Bezirov, a Konov's advocate, has added that Konov had attempted to get to Syria and join the IS, as he believe the information from the Internet about the oppression of Syrian Circassians by the Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.