Akhmed Pogorov's father urges Putin to release Ingush activists

Sirazhudin Pogorov, an Ingush elder, has offered the Russian President to release, on the occasion of the Day of Russia, the arrested leaders of Ingush protests against the border agreement with Chechnya.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in late May, Akhmed Pogorov was transferred under house arrest and was soon hospitalized, but the police took him out of the hospital and brought him to Yessentuki in a reanimation car. The law enforcers explained their actions by the need for investigative actions.

Sirazhudin Pogorov, 95, the father of Akhmed, has sent a letter to President Vladimir Putin, where he congratulated him on the Day of Russia and reminded him about the fate of the leaders of the protest movement.

"In 2018, Ingushetia saw massive peaceful protests, caused by the disagreement of the overwhelming majority of the population with the alienation of a significant part of Ingushetia's territory. Besides, residents of the republic protested against the actions of the corrupt authorities, whom you have subsequently dismissed," the letter says.

Residents of Ingushetia faced arbitrariness and lawlessness; dozens of activists ended up in jails, the letter says. "It is especially painful for me to see the respected public figures – Akhmed Barakhoev, Malsag Uzhakhov and Zarifa Sautieva – in prison. These people are not extremists or criminals. They are true patriots; and their actions are dictated solely by love for their homeland, land and people. My son, a military officer, Akhmed Pogorov, is among those arrested," Sirazhudin Pogorov has noted.

In conclusion of his letter, he refers to his venerable age and lately deteriorating health and asks Vladimir Putin to release the activists, on the occasion of the holiday, and allow him to see them.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 12, 2021 at 02:50 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.