24 November 2016, 05:04
Court requests investigators to verify Zhalaudi Geriev's complaint about his kidnapping
The Supreme Court (SC) of Chechnya on its own initiative has decided to send to the investigating authorities a complaint of Zhalaudi Geriev, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, about his kidnapping and use of violence against him. The consideration of his appeal against the sentence has been postponed for the period.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Chechen SC is considering, since November 15, the complaint against the verdict to Zhalaudi Geriev, passed by the Shali District Court on September 5. At the November 22 session, the court rejected the defence's motions demanding to disqualify first the presiding judge, and then – the whole composition of the court.
Zhalaudi Geriev was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of possessing marijuana. At the first-instance court, he completely denied the investigators' version and said that he had testified under pressure. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" has recognized Geriev to be a political prisoner.
At the court hearing held on November 23, Judge Dmitry Gorbovtsov said that earlier, Zhalaudi Geriev had complained about his kidnapping and use of violence against him. He asked Zhalaudi Geriev whether he could repeat his complaint.
The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has confirmed his earlier statement about his kidnapping and use of violence against him.
Then, Dmitry Gorbovtsov has said that the judges are concerned about the fact that the Zhalaudi Geriev's complaint was not assessed.
"In order to decide objectively what to do in the case further, I suggest checking out the arguments of the sentenced man concerning the fact of his kidnapping and use of violence against him. And only then, I suggest making a legitimate and well-founded decision. To check out those arguments, I propose to send the case materials to the Investigating Committee and to postpone the case until the results of the check are available," stated Judge Dmitry Gorbovtsov.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Source: CK correspondents
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