Death of inmate in Chechnya alarms rights defenders

Khavazhi Magomadov, brought from the Kuzbass colony as a witness in another criminal case, has died in the Grozny detention facility. Before his death, Magomadov feared for his life, human rights defenders inform.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 19, 2010, residents of Grozny, Khavazhi Magomadov and Bislan Magomadov, were detained on suspicion of attempting to assault law enforcers. The detainees were tortured with electric current, doused with boiling water and beaten up with truncheons, after which they were forced to confess. On March 21, 2012, both were sentenced to 25 years in prison each. In December 2021, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) awarded them compensation for torture and unfair trial.

The human rights organization "Civil Assistance"* became aware of the death of Khavazhi Magomadov, who was convoyed from Kuzbass to Chechnya.

Recently, Magomadov was in one of the colonies of the Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass). "In the colony, he was subjected to unreasonable punishments and received no medical assistance ... Despite his grave diagnosis, in April this year, Magomadov was convoyed to Chechnya […] according to the official version – in order to testify as a witness in another criminal case," the "Civic Assistance"* has reported.

"After the witnessing, Khavazhi Magomadov told the advocate that he was feeling well, and taking medication against tuberculosis. He was cheerful, made plans for further serving his term and asked to be transferred from the colony in Kuzbass closer to home – to Chechnya or some neighbouring region ... We were afraid that he was convoyed for execution," says the report.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.