Zhalaudi Geriev's advocate explains absence of his client at trial by warders' mistake

The Supreme Court (SC) of the Chechen Republic has held the hearing on the appeal against the sentence to Zhalaudi Geriev, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, in the absence of the defendant, since guards to escort him were sent to another SIZO (pre-trial prison). This was reported by an advocate of Zhalaudi Geriev.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 15, the Chechen SC began to consider the appeal against the verdict to Zhalaudi Geriev, who on September 5 was sentenced by the Shali District Court to three years of imprisonment on the charge of possession of marijuana.

At the court hearing held on November 15, the SC questioned two witnesses for defence, including Grigory Shvedov, the editor-in-chief of the "Caucasian Knot", and Suleiman Gayirbekov, an appointed advocate, who represented the interests of Zhalaudi Geriev.

According to the advocate, at the preliminary investigation stage, Zhalaudi Geriev asked him to file no complaint and to sign all the paper signed by him. Later, Suleiman Gayirbekov used the data on procedural violations to protect Zhalaudi Geriev.

Advocate Musaev has also complained about violations committed in the course of the investigation.

Grigory Shvedov said he had directly communicated with Zhalaudi Geriev. Grigory Shvedov also noted that Zhalaudi Geriev did not use alcoholic beverages, did not smoke, and "for many years, he demonstrated completely different properties of his nature, contrary to the information, known from the indictment."

The advocate explained the placement of Zhalaudi Geriev to the SIZO located far from Grozny by lack of places at the SIZO No. 1.

Earlier, advocate Musaev has claimed that the prosecutors' version is not confirmed by any evidence: in particular, Zhalaudi Geriev possessed no means to consume marijuana.

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