In Dagestan, father of detainee on suspicion of burning down a shop states innocence of his son

Zainudin Magomedov, a resident of Dagestan, has appealed to human rights organizations, the prosecutor's office and interior minister asking to restore violated rights of his family members. According to his story, his sons were illegally detained by law enforcement officers, who had also tortured the detainees.

The detention of three Magomedov brothers - Rashid, Radzab and Ismail - was made in their house in the village of Komsomolskoe, Kizilyurt District of Dagestan, on November 30 at about 11:00 p.m.

The father told that he heard a knock at the gate and went out to open the door. About 30 armed persons in camouflage, without presenting any documents, rushed in and handcuffed the young people, without even allowing them to get dressed; then, the sons were taken away to the police station. This is stated in the message of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", which arrived to the "Caucasian Knot" office.

Zainudin Magomedov and his wife immediately went to the prosecutor's office to file a statement, but nobody, as they said, accepted them there. Then, they went to the Kizilyurt ROVD (District Interior Division) to apply about the incident, but the officer on duty did not let them in.

On December 1 in the morning, agents again came to the Magomedovs house; some of them were in camouflage, some - in plain clothes. They searched the house, having presented a corresponding sanction. On that very day Ismail and Radzhab Magomedov were released from the police station. The young people told that militiamen had beaten them.

On the same day, advocate Sapiyat Magomedova, who was invited by the family, only after a complaint to the prosecutor was allowed to get access to her client. During the meeting, she found clear traces of violence on his body, as well as characteristic points on his hands, which remain after torture with electric current.

Ms Magomedova cleared out that Rashid Magomedov was suspected of committing arson of a shop in the village of Stalskiy, Kizilyurt District, in the evening on November 30, as well as of firearms purchase and possession. However, at detention, Rashid had no arms on him.

The advocate called an ambulance, but when doctors started examination, they were ousted by the head of the IVS (temporary detention facility).

Sapiyat Magomedova contacted the HRC "Memorial" and asked for assistance. Tatiana Kasatkina, Executive Director of the HRC telephoned to Rizvan Kurbanov, Vice-Premier of the Government of Dagestan in charge of power agencies, who, in his turn, called the head of the Kizilyurt ROVD.

Then, according to the version of the advocate, the ROVD boss invited her and promised that her client "would not be beaten more"; however, the ambulance was not let in. Then Sapiyat submitted an application and sent telegrams to the Public Prosecutor and the Interior Minister of Dagestan. The ROVD boss was inaccessible for comments.

On December 6 in the evening, the TV Programme "Vesti Dagestana" showed a report with Rashid Magomedov and a certain Magomed-Khabib Saipudinov. The announcer said that Magomedov and Saipudinov were caught in hot pursuit and confessed of committed crimes, while the leader of their grouping had been liquidated in a special operation in the village of Kirovaul of the Kizilyurt District.

Relatives of Rashid Magomedov argue that this information has nothing to do with reality. They plan to sue the TV channel for spreading false information.

As of December 7, no medical examination of Rashid Magomedov was carried out, no medical care is rendered; it is even forbidden to pass clothes to him, the HRC "Memorial" reports.

The detainee's father and advocate claim that Rashid Magomedov did not commit the shop arson; he has alibi that can confirmed by numerous witnesses. It is known that criminals' faces were fixed by outdoor surveillance cameras at the store. The father and the lawyer asked to show them the record, saying that they would recall all their claims, if there is really Rashid in the record. But there not shown the record.

Let us note here that in 2009 a similar arson of a shop was committed in the village of Komsomolskoe; then, Rashid Magomedov and Magomed-Khabib Saipudinov surrendered to the militia and confessed of the crime. The case about that arson was to be sent to the court; and the two young men were under recognizance not to leave.