In Dagestan, a man accused of illegal arms possession claims law enforcers' pressure

Bagir Makhmudov, a resident of Makhachkala, accused of illegal possession of arms and ammunition, has claimed in court that he is being subjected to pressure at the SIZO (pre-trial prison) by law enforcers, who demand a confession from him.

On February 16, the Soviet District Court of Makhachkala held a hearing in the case against Bagir Makhmudov, who was accused of storing a pistol, rounds and a full magazine for a submachine gun, reports the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, who attended the trial.

According to advocate Murad Magomedov, his client initially admitted that the arms belonged to him, but later he said that he had been forced to admit guilt under the pressure of the law enforcers.

On February 16, at trial, the defendant claimed threats from law enforcers. "Some people who introduced themselves as field investigators … took me to an office ... and demanded from me to plead guilty under Article 208 (organization of an illegal armed formation (IAF) or participation in it). They openly threatened me that they would take me away ... and would torture me if I did not do everything they said," said Bagir Makhmudov.

The advocate has requested the Court to take measures to protect Bagir Makhmudov at the SIZO. Judge Dalgat Gadjiev instructed a secretary to address an appropriate request to the chief of the SIZO administration and the supervising prosecutor.

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