Natives of Chechnya, figuring in the case on riots in Zelenokumsk, refuse to appear before court

Three Chechen brothers named Gafurov, whose engagement in a conflict with Cossacks in the city of Zelenokumsk in November 2010 is considered by the Soviet District Court of the Stavropol Territory, refused to appear at the court session.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Gafurovs figure in the case about a brawl on November 27 last year, which burst out in the city of Zelenokumsk, Stavropol Territory, when during a showdown between the above Chechens and local Cossacks the former used firearms and traumatic pistols, resulting in various injuries in eight residents of Zelenokumsk. One Chechen was also wounded.

The court spokesman said that the session on the case of Magomed, Issa and Ayub Gafurov, initially scheduled for July 5, had to be postponed. The defendants refused to leave the IVS (temporary detention facility), where they are now kept; thus, it was impossible to bring them to the courtroom.

"By their refusal the brothers want to indicate the biased attitude of the court. At least this is the way their advocates explain their clients' actions," the "Interfax" quotes the spokesman.

According to investigators, the conflict occurred when a group of young Chechens tried to force a minor girl-resident of the city into their car and drive her away. The girl managed to escape, and she turned to Cossacks for help.