Arrested Chechen woman complains about law enforcers' pressure in SIZO

Special agents are forcing Lilia Saidova, accused of financing militants because of transferring money to her brother in Turkey, to give confession and slander a stranger, her father and an advocate assert.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 13, 2018, the Cheryomushki District Court of Moscow arrested six natives from Northern Caucasus, suspected of fundraising to finance militants. Two women – Madina Baisarova and Lilia Saidova – and four men were arrested.

On January 30, 2020, the Cassation Court of Moscow considered Lilia Saidova's complaint against the extension of her detention. The court decided to leave her freedom restriction measure unchanged.

Sultan Saidov, Lilia's father, has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that his daughter complains about pressure from law enforcers, who come to her in the SIZO (pre-trial prison) and demand new confessions, despite the fact that the inquiry into her case is over.

"They demanded from her to write almost a complete confession and give evidence against some guy from Dagestan, whom she didn't even know," said the father.

Her advocate treats the only aim of the law enforcers, who intimidate Saidova, is to put psychological pressure on her. "She is offered to confess, write a confession, [...] plus testify against that guy. And those who come threaten Saidova with problems if she refuses," said Ibragimov, an advocate.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 31, 2020 at 03:06 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.