Advocate finds out whereabouts of Magomed Gadaev

Magomed Gadaev, deported from France and handed over to Chechen law enforcers in Novy Urengoy, is being kept at a police department of Urus-Martan, but no advocates have been yet allowed to visit him, the “Caucasian Knot” has been informed by Tatiana Lokshina, the associate director for Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 9, the 37-year-old Magomed Gadaev was deported from France to Russia despite his protest. Once at the police of the city of Novy Urengoy, he stated that he needed state protection, as his life was in danger. On April 11, the police of Novy Urengoy handed Magomed Gadaev over to Chechen law enforcers, who took him to Chechnya in connection with a criminal case on keeping weapons.

“According to the information received from his relatives, this morning, local law enforcers have brought Magomed Gadaev to his parents’ house in the village of Zakan-Yurt. He has got a chance to talk briefly to his mother. The law enforcers have assured his mother that although the man was detained, they will not cause him any harm. Then they took him away with them. The law enforcers suggested that the Magomed Gadaev’s relatives should address the police in Urus-Martan,” Tatiana Lokshina reported.

The Magomed Gadaev’s case confirms that Chechen refugees deported from other countries to Russia have no opportunity to live safely in other regions of the country, when the Chechen authorities have any claims against them, says the associate director for Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia division.

“The deportation of Magomed Gadaev from France to Russia is a gross violation of international law. In connection with the absolute prohibition on torture, the extradition of a person to a country where he or she may be subjected to torture is prohibited by international law. Such extradition is also a direct violation of the French court’s decision on refugees pronounced this March. In its decision, the court declared that the return of Magomed Gadaev to Russia was impossible, because he would face danger there,” the human rights defender emphasized.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 13, 2021 at 06:58 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.