Court extends Akhmed Barakhoev's arrest

The Nalchik court has extended the arrest of the Ingush elder Akhmed Barakhoev by 3.5 months and rejected the defence's motion for the disqualification of the judge.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today the courthouse where the session took place was cordoned off by armed law enforcers.

The court left Barakhoev in custody until September 25, 2019. Only his wife was allowed to be present at the session; and the judge did not let Akhmed's two sisters and a brother into the courtroom, citing some certificate "about possible unrests," said Fatima Urusova, an advocate.

According to her story, before the start of the session, Barakhoev tried to challenge the judge. "He stated that the territorial jurisdiction was violated, because the event, which is being considered, took place in Ingushetia, where he lives," said Urusova.

The defence upheld the disqualification demand, stating a prejudice against Barakhoev. His elderly relatives, who came from another district hoping to see their brother and congratulate him on the great Muslim holiday Uraza Bayram, were not admitted to the session, Fatima Urusova has added, stating that the judge disqualification motion was denied.