News

In the evening on June 21, at the Russia's General Consulate in Istanbul, an action of Circassian community was held in protest against persecution of Andzor Akhokhov, the organizer of the anti-Olympic action held on February 7 in Nalchik. The protest was about 60 people strong, Selchuk Baglar, one of the protesters, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

As reported by the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), today, in the centre of Grozny, an employee of the patrol-and-post service (PPS) was shot dead in the back of his head.

The film "It's Ordered to Forget", produced by the Sheikh Mansour "Grozny-Film" Studio, was demonstrated at the 36th Moscow International Film Festival. The screening of the film earlier forbidden for circulation in Russia aroused great interest of the audience – there were no vacant seats in the hall, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Since the start of armed clashes in Eastern Ukraine, more than a hundred people from the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions arrived in Sochi and applied for the refugee status, said the local migration service. The authorities recommend them to leave Sochi, as there are no refugee camps, where the Ukrainian citizens had expected to find shelter, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The lawyer Sapiyat Magomedova, who is representing the interests of Magomed Aliev, suspect of robbery, has applied to the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) against the physical pressure put on her client at SIZO-1 (pre-trial prison) of Makhachkala with the aim to force him to reject the advocate.

The arrest of Ramazan Magomedov, a resident of Makhachkala, detained on suspicion of drug possession, has been challenged. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by advocate Murad Mallaev.

In Dagestan, Magomed Aliev, who is suspected of act of robbery, is subjected to physical pressure, and warders of the SIZO (pre-trial prison) are forcing him to waive his advocate. This was stated by his advocate Sapiyat Magomedova. The administration of the Makhachkala SIZO No. 1 refuses to comment on the situation.

In the Rostov Region, seven persons wounded in shootouts near the Russian-Ukrainian border have been brought to the hospitals. This was reported by Sergey Bondarev, Acting Governor of the Rostov Region.

Ales Bialiatski, the head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Viasna", Vice-President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), who was sentenced for concealing his income, was released early. This was reported by his wife Natalya Pinchuk.

The National Assembly of Azerbaijan has adopted the amendments to the legislation to abolish the institution of the jury, which, however, had never been introduced to the country's judicial system.

In Dagestan, a person suspected of the murder of Radjab Magomedov has been detained. This was reported by the advocate representing the interests of the victims.

At the trial in the case against of Ruslan Kutaev, President of the Assembly of Peoples of the Caucasus, the court has listened to a defence witness. His testimony has confirmed the defence version that the detention of Ruslan Kutaev in the village of Gekhi of the Urus-Martan District of Chechnya was a pre-planned operation.

Estonian MP Mailis Reps, PACE Co-Rapporteur to strengthen the role and protection of human rights in the Council of Europe member states, has expressed the concern about the deterioration of human rights activists in Azerbaijan. Mailis Reps has called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Ilgar Mamedov, Anar Mamedli, and Bashir Suleimanly.

Batyr Charyev, who has been detained in Makhachkala, is suspected of aiding and abetting militants and of arms trafficking. This was reported by a source from law enforcement agencies. Relatives of Batyr Charyev suggest that law enforcers have planted rounds during the search.

On the eve of the summer session of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), more than 25 civil society activists have urged the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly to support the draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Azerbaijan.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia plans to hold the second round of elections of mayors and district administration heads in mid-July. However, the date has not yet been determined.

Advocates, who are not involved in the case against Islam Kubachiev, accused of involvement in illegal armed formations (IAFs), have expressed different opinions concerning the positive characteristics of the defendant presented to the court and the statement of witness that refutes the investigators' arguments on the involvement of the young man in the IAF.

The Supreme Court of Dagestan has upheld the decision of the Khasavyurt City Court on administrative arrest of Aisha Abakarova, a volunteer of the Charity Foundation "Be Merciful", despite the fact that she is a mother of minor children.

On Friday, in the village of Uzunotar of the Khasavyurt District, unidentified persons kidnapped Ilmudin Gasanovich Gasanov. This was reported by eyewitnesses of the kidnapping and family members of the kidnapped man.

To restore diplomatic relations with Georgia, Russia is to conduct de-occupation of the country, withdraw recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and fulfil the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008. This was announced by Maya Pandjikidze, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.