20 July 2023, 20:37
Barakh Chemurziev points out factual errors in sentencing of Ingush activists
The first-instance court made many mistakes and distortions of facts in the verdict, by using them as the basis for incorrect conclusions, Barakh Chemurziev has stated at the trial. Magomed Abubakarov, his advocate, wanted to clearly demonstrate to the court that the case contained not a single real proof of Ingush activists' guilt.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since January 13, 2023, a court in the Stavropol Territory has been considering complaints against the verdicts against seven protest leaders in Magas. The defence asked the court to examine the proofs in the case, but this was not done; and many points in the verdict are doubtful, Mr Abubakarov has noted. He stressed that the court ignored the video and other proofs that confirm the Ingush oppositionists' innocence.
Magomed Abubakarov has treated the verdict on the Ingush political prisoners "as not justice, but a crime" and urged the judge to make a fair decision.
He has also reminded that all that families are waiting for the defendants at home. In particular, Barakh Chemurziev has a blind father and three children, one of whom is disabled.
In June, the court of appeal refused to grant the motion lodged by the defence and asking to examine the video footage from the rally in Magas, which confirms the defendants' innocence, the advocate has explained. The court sessions are held formally; the judge finds fault with the defendants and their advocates, listeners of the trial have noticed.
The accusation of participation in an extremist community is not supported by proofs; and the verdict is based on the assumptions that contradict witnesses' testimonies and experts' conclusions, Barakh Chemurziev, one of the Ingush activists, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, stated on April 28. The advocates have also pointed to the violations committed by the court, and supported his appeal complaint.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 19, 2023 at 11:27 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: СK correspondent
