Court dismisses cassation appeal of Dagestani journalist Idris Yusupov* in case on his detention

In Pyatigorsk, a cassation court refused to recognize the detention of journalist Idris Yusupov* at a rally against mobilization in Makhachkala as illegal.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Idris Yusupov*, a journalist of the “Novoye Delo” (New Clause), lodged an appeal against the decision of the Sovietsky District Court of Makhachkala, which did not grant his claim against the Makhachkala City Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) for unjustified detention at a rally against mobilization. Idris Yusupov* noted that police representatives stated in court that he allegedly voluntarily stayed at the police station for almost 24 hours. All witnesses confirmed that Idris Yusupov* was forcibly held at the police station after his detention.

Earlier, Idris Yusupov* and his advocate Shamil Isaev had challenged the decision of the court of appeal. They pointed out that the previous decisions were unlawful, since the findings of both Dagestani courts did not correspond to the factual circumstances of the case. Idris Yusupov* and Shamil Isaev also suggested that the law had been violated, the “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD)** reported.

The advocate noted that the detention of Idris Yusupov was unfounded and that law enforcers had violated his right to freedom and personal inviolability, guaranteed by the Constitution of Russia. During the detention, the policemen did not point out any signs of a crime or offense on the journalist’s part, did not draw up any documents, but created obstacles to his journalistic activities, which resulted in a violation of freedom of speech. Idris Yusupov* had his personal belongings confiscated at the police station, and he did not get them back until he was released.

The Supreme Court (SC) of Dagestan considered the witnesses who confirmed the words of Idris Yusupov* to be “persons interested in the outcome of the case” and recognized them as unreliable evidence.

Advocate Shamil Isaev emphasized that the detention of Idris Yusupov* violated his rights as a citizen to freedom and as a journalist to receive and disseminate information.

*On November 24, 2023, the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) included Idris Yusupov in the register of foreign agents. The journalist filed an appeal against the MoJ’s decision.

**As reported on the website of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the reason for including on March 1, 2024, the unregistered “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD) into the roster of foreign agents was the spread of “inaccurate information aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Armed Forces.”