Victory at ECtHR inspires former police colonel Salikh Gadjiev

Salikh Gadjiev, an ex-police colonel, has expressed his satisfaction with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the complaint about his dismissal from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Dagestan for criticism. The ECtHR's decision on Gadjiev's complaint is important in the light of combating corruption, his advocate has emphasized.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the ECtHR had concluded that Salikh Gadjiev was dismissed from the Dagestani MIA for his criticism of the problems existing in the Ministry; his dismissal was a violation of his right to express his opinion; the ECtHR has obliged Russia to pay him compensation in the amount of EUR 7500. Salikh Gadjiev was dismissed in 2013, but demanded reinstatement. The basis for his dismissal was his critical statements addressed to MIA bosses in Dagestan, which was treated by the bosses as a gross discipline violation. Gadjiev appealed to President Putin with a request to intervene in the situation. However, the court treated Gadjiev's statements about the MIA as untrue.

Now, Gadjiev is pleased with the ECtHR's decision. "This is the result of a long-term struggle. Finally, the ECtHR has that I was fired for criticism," he has stated.

The dismissal deprived him of the opportunity to work at the MIA system, but he was not left without work.

"After my dismissal, I worked as the head of the anti-corruption committee on a voluntary basis. I was elected as a deputy of the People's Assembly of Dagestan. I am also currently working," he has explained.

His advocate has stressed that it took about 10 years for justice to prevail. "The complaint was sent to the ECtHR on November 14, 2014; and the decision was passed on October 15, 2024," he has added. In his opinion, Gadjiev's case is of particular importance to the society. "Corruption is a particularly acute problem in Russian bodies; and the statements made by Gadjiev, a high-ranking MIA employee, were aimed at combating corruption," the advocate has concluded.

Amir Kolov, a colonel of the Russian MIA, who was also fired for criticism and is currently challenging his dismissal in court, believes the ECtHR's decision is fair. According to his story, Gadjiev is one of the worthiest Russian officers.

This is not the first case when police officers are fired for criticism, says Kolov. However, the compensation amount of the moral harm appointed by the ECtHR is irrelevant to the harm suffered by Gadjiev, he believes.

"The harm inflicted should be estimated not in thousands, but in hundred thousands euros," he believes.