In Dagestan, inquiry into militiamen's beating teenager protracts for six months

According to Bakanai Guseinova, advocate of Makhmud Akhmedov, 14, a resident of Dagestan, who was beaten by militiamen on July 20, 2010, now an additional check is underway. According to her story, the case, which had been virtually investigated, was suddenly requested by the Republic's Prosecutor's Office.

"There's an additional check now against the two militiamen, who took part, by evidence of my client, of beating him. Should it be proved that they are innocent, the case will be dismissed for lack of crime elements," lawyer Guseinova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The correspondent has learnt from a law enforcement officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, the case most probably will be "braked". "The point is that this April one of the figurants of the case will retire. However, if he is found guilty, then, good-bye to militia pension and all the bonuses. That is why they protract till April. I see no other reason. The case has been completely proved; everything is clear in it. On the other hand, on purely human side, I pity this policeman - losing one's pension because of a kid," said the source.

Magomedrasul Abuyazidov, Head of the Division for Interaction with Law Enforcement Bodies of the Administration of President and Government of Dagestan, refused to answer the question of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about the actions taken in response to the letter of local rights defenders about the beating of the 14-year-old boy by the militia. The letter, dated August 18, 2010, was addressed to the head of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov and was under his personal control.

"I'll tell you nothing about this case until I get a permit of deputy chair Rizvan Kurbanov; but he's away on business now," said Abuyazidov.