Court suspends consideration of case against former coordinator of Navalny’s* office due to his complaint about torture

In Khasavyurt, a court suspended the trial in a case against Eduard Ataev while the prosecutor’s office considered the complaint filed by the activist about the actions of law enforcers during his detention.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Eduard Ataev, a former coordinator of Navalny’s office in Makhachkala, was arrested on charges of possession of an explosive device and drugs. Eduard Ataev claims that the grenade and drugs were planted to him, and he associates the persecution with his civic and political position and opposition to corruption. The quality of the examination of the grenade found during a search at the place of Eduard Ataev’s residence raised questions among the defenders.

Eduard Ataev claims that during his detention, the law enforcers put a plastic bag over his head, wrapped him in tape, and then forcibly put objects that looked like a pistol handle and a grenade into his hands, the “Kavkaz.Realii”** reports.

Let us remind you that Eduard Ataev held solo pickets in Makhachkala with calls, in particular, to stop corruption in the Khasavyurt District. On January 25, 2022, the activist was detained at a protest against natural resource extraction in the village of Endirei.

*Navalny’s offices are recognized as extremist organizations and banned in Russia. Alexei Navalny is a founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (known as FBK), an NCO that is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of NCOs performing functions of a foreign agent. The NCO is also recognized by a court as extremist and banned in the territory of Russia.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.