Lawyers criticize Dagestani power agents for arresting Russian women-returnees from Syria

A complaint has been filed against the decision to arrest Zagidat Abakarova and Muslimat Kurbanova after their voluntary return from the warfare zone in Syria, Djuma Magomedova, an advocate, has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 24, the Sovietsky District Court of Makhachkala ruled to place the 34-year-old Zagidat Abakarova, mother of many children, and the 25-year-old Muslimat Kurbanova, who were brought to Grozny on October 21 from Syria, into custody.

Abakarova and Kurbanova were charged with participation in illegal armed formations (IAFs) in the territory of a foreign state; and on October 26, an appeal complaint was filed against the court's arrest judgement, Djuma Magomedova, their appointed advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on October 26.

Elena Denisenko, another lawyer, believes that the precedent with Abakarova and Kurbanova will have a negative impact on the return process from the Middle East of the Russians, who had participated in foreign IAFs, but want now to return to peaceful life.

"The respective article of the Criminal Code stipulates that if a person has surrendered himself and cooperated with investigators, they can't open a criminal case against him," Ms Denisenko told the "Caucasian Knot".

In a situation, when the women have expressed their desire to return voluntarily, they should not be placed behind bars, the lawyer believes.

Besides, the fact that they have minors and breast-fed babies is a sufficient reason for choosing a freedom restriction measure not entailing custody, Elena Denisenko added.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.