News

Alexander Ryazanov, a contract soldier of the guards motorized rifle regiment in Chechnya, could not quit his service after the announcement of mobilization. His contract expired, but the Grozny Garrison Military Court forbade Ryazanov to leave the service, citing restrictions after the start of mobilization in Russia.

Apti Visaev, a native of Chechnya, who was accused of preparing a terror act in Norilsk, has informed that he had been transferred, without explanation, into a special block of the SIZO (pre-trial prison), where he does not receive the necessary medical care in full.

A court in Moscow has sentenced Darya Polyudova*, an activist from Kuban (Krasnodar Territory), to nine years in prison, finding her guilty of creating an extremist community and publicly justifying terrorism.

The defence found violations in the detention protocol of blogger Vasily Shevtsov's parents, and the court in Astrakhan released them without imposing punishment.

The order to teachers to transfer a one-day salary to the republic's social support fund continued the trend of replenishing Chechen funds at the expense of employees of budgetary (state-funded) organizations, analysts have pointed out.

Over 2000 hectares of land have been transferred into the ownership of the village of Sovkhoznoye in the Zolsky District, but villagers and local authorities have no funds to develop the land; and law enforcement bodies would not prevent unauthorized land capture.

In Chechnya, schools were offered to transfer one-day earnings of teachers to the state fund to help orphans, the Ministry of Labour of the republic reported. Teachers in rural schools receive such low salaries that they themselves need support, educators complain.

Persecution of pacifists and activists in Southern Russia, continuation of the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, intensification of repressions in Azerbaijan, – see the review of these and other events in the Caucasus during the week of December 19-25, 2022, prepared by the “Caucasian Knot”.

Journalist Vladimir Sevrinovsky released his documentary “Beyond of the Republic” reporting about the criminal prosecution of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, an editor of the Dagestani weekly newspaper “Chernovik” (Rough Draft).

The Supreme Court (SC) of Dagestan has reduced the prison term of Shamil Daitbekov, convicted on charges of helping militants. Daitbekov will be released on December 28 this year; his defence intends to seek his rehabilitation.

Vasily Shevtsov, a blogger who left Russia after the announcement of mobilization, has reported the detention of his parents in Astrakhan. He associates the persecution of his relatives with his oppositional publications.

Two Dagestani residents, the only breadwinners for their families with three children, were sent to participate in the military operation in Ukraine; attempts to challenge their mobilization were unsuccessful, their wives have stated.

The cancellation of the search for Amina Gerikhanova, a native of Chechnya, became possible thanks to the recent reform of the Interpol, human rights defenders believe.

Khava Gireeva, a sister of Leyla Gireeva, an 18-year-old resident of Nazran, says that there has always been a normal situation the house of their parents. She also notes that the relatives have taken care of her sister as well and treated her.

Chechen Minister of Press Akhmed Dudaev has posted a video reporting about the willingness of Chechen women to support men in protecting the interests of their homeland.

The accusations of a theft brought by relatives often fail to reach the court and return the runaway girls back into families. But in the case of Leyla Gireeva, a native of Ingushetia, such a charge could become an obstacle for the girl to go abroad, lawyers and human rights defenders have pointed out.

Mukhammad, Tumso Abdurakhmanov's brother, continues taking part in the trial that considers the preparation of his assassination. The trial is being held in secrecy due to fears for the safety of the victim and state security, since a member of the German intelligence service is involved in the case.

A court in Makhachkala has dismissed the administrative case against Elnara Askerova, a designer, accused of gay propaganda after a video of a private fashion show was circulated in social media.

In Grozny, a court granted a request of Grozny resident Malkan Radueva, whose parents were deported in 1944, and obliged the Chechen Ministry of Internal Affairs to issue her a certificate of rehabilitation as a victim of political repression.

When commenting on a case instituted against former policemen, an advocate has stated that the fabrication of criminal cases on possession of drugs is being practiced by the law enforcement bodies in connection with the availability of wild-growing cannabis in the Astrakhan Region and the possibility of getting promotion.