Defence points to signs of fabrication in Eduard Ataev’s case

There are signs of falsification in the materials of the case instituted against Eduard Ataev, the former coordinator of the oppositionist Alexei Navalny’s* office in Makhachkala, accused of possessing an explosive device and drugs, the defence points out. The fabrication of criminal cases against critics of the authorities is being practiced in Dagestan, journalist Idris Yusupov notes.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Eduard Ataev has been arrested on the charge of possession of an explosive device. The activist claims that a grenade was planted to him and associates his persecution with his civic position and opposition to corruption.

Advocate Israfil Gadadov notes that Eduard Ataev is in custody, despite the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) of Dagestan. According to the defender, there are signs of falsification in his case.

Israfil Gadadov has suggested that the court is likely to pronounce a guilty verdict “because the reason is political.”

The fabrication of criminal cases by planting weapons, ammunition, or drugs is a common practice in Dagestan, notes Idris Yusupov, a journalist of the publication “Novoye Delo” (New Clause). “In Dagestan, this practice can be used against those who are undesirable for the authorities in some way, including Muslims, who can hardly be suspected of using drugs,” the journalist said.

According to him, Eduard Ataev’s case is notable because he is known in Dagestan as a public and political activist. “He acted as an active participant in the elections, and he held protest actions against violations in power. In addition, several years ago there was an attempt to plant weapons to Eduard Ataev," Idris Yusupov explained.

*Alexei Navalny is a founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (known as FBK), an NCO that is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the register of NCOs performing functions of a foreign agent. The NCO is also recognized by a court as extremist and banned in Russia. Navalny’s* offices are recognized as extremist organizations, and their activities are terminated by a court’s decision. On January 25, the “Rosfinmonitoring” (the Russian Federal Agency for Financial Monitoring) included Alexei Navalny in the register of extremists and terrorists.