Journalist Gadjiev's colleagues treat Makhachkala residents' reaction to pickets as indicative

On May 29, the traditional solo pickets evoked an active response from Makhachkala residents and guests of the city, Idris Yusupov, a journalist, has stated. During the four years of holding the actions, everyone who has approached the picketers expressed categorical support for Gadjiev and agreed that innocent people are often prosecuted; this can be explained by people's personal experience of interaction with law enforcement bodies, Magomed Magomedov has noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that colleagues of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, the arrested editor of the "Chernovik" outlet, treat his criminal case as political persecution and regularly hold solo pickets in his support in Makhachkala. In particular, on May 29, such pickets were held by Idris Yusupov, a journalist for the "Novoye Delo" outlet, and Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik".

"The solo picket was held at the public's maximum interest. There were a lot of signals from the drivers on the road. Passers-by and tourists looked and asked about who he was and what happened to him," Mr Magomedov has noted.

According to his story, even those who are unfamiliar with Gadjiev and his case have a strong feeling that courts are prosecuting mostly innocent people.

"They have such a feeling formed with the help of media, social networks, personal conversations, and interaction with authorities," Magomed Magomedov has added.

Journalist Idris Yusupov, whose solo picket was held under the demand of "Freedom for political prisoners!" has also noted that both actions received a high reaction. "People honked from cars, spoke words of support, and showed gestures," he said.