Chanieva: investigation in Kabardino-Balkaria neglects rights of detained Malkarov

Kerim Malkarov, a resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, accused of a murder, has been kept at the Nalchik investigatory isolation facility for almost seven months already. On December 22, the Supreme Court of Kabardino-Balkaria upheld the decision of the Nalchik City Court on extending his custody.

In her comments on the situation, advocate Eva Chanieva, who is defending Malkarov, asserts that the inquiry bodies have committed roughest violations in the course of preliminary investigation.

"Seven months after Malkarov's detention, it was suddenly found out that no fingerprint examination was made, because the investigation had lost the fingerprints taken from Malkarov right after his detention. Repeated fingerprints were taken from the defendant only on December 18," the advocate said.

According to Ms Chanieva, no psychiatric and drug examinations were held in relation to Malkarov, which are mandatory for the cases with this sort of charges.

"Only on December 19, Malkarov was acquainted with the staff of the investigatory group created in April, right after the committed murder. By this time, the staff of the group has changed. As of today, the case is under the third inspector. Subsequently, it will all be used to justify the necessity to keep Malkarov in custody. It can't be treated other than neglect to human rights and absence of control over the course of preliminary investigation by the bosses of the Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic," said Eva Chanieva.

Mr Malkarov's custody term has been extended for the fourth time already; and every time the public prosecutor, as well as the defence, asks the court to release Malkarov from custody, i.e. to reject the petition on extending his imprisonment.

"Kabardino-Balkaria: court extends custody of a man with "ironclad" alibi," "Kabardino-Balkaria: prosecutor finds charges against Kerim Malkarov ungrounded," "Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria states criminal case fabrication against his son."