Relatives complain about ban on visits to Zarifa Sautieva

Investigators do not allow visits of relatives to Zarifa Sautieva at a SIZO (pre-trial prison), and today, due to the fact that the court was declared to be held behind closed doors, only participants of the trial were allowed to attend the court hearing, relatives of the Ingush activist report.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Zarifa Sautieva has been under arrest since July 2019. In January, cultural figures, scientists, journalists, human rights defenders, and activists signed an open letter addressed to the leaders of the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF) with the demand to release Ingush activist Zarifa Sautieva.

Today, Olga Frolova, Judge of the Yessentuki City Court, has announced that the issue on extending the arrest of Zarifa Sautieva will be considered behind closed doors. Only Zarifa Sautieva herself, an investigator, and an advocate were allowed into the courtroom, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported.

Rumina Sautieva and Asya Gazdieva, older sisters of the activist, came to attend the trial. "We wanted to see her. They don't let relatives to visit Zarifa. We came from Ingushetia to see her. We are not allowed to see her even at the trial," Rumina Sautieva told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 6, 2020 at 03:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.