In Dagestan, rights defenders demand to stop criminal prosecution against lawyer Sapiyat Magomedova

Russian authorities should immediately stop the criminal prosecution against the well-known Dagestani lawyer Sapiyat Magomedova and bring to justice the police officers for physical violence against the lawyer. This was declared by the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), commenting on the information about filing charges against Magomedova. The Amnesty International (AI) also claimed a protest on this occasion.

Sapiyat Magomedova was beaten on June 17, 2010, when she came to the GOVD (City Interior Division) of the Khasavyurt District to meet with his client Malika Evtemirova. On July 1, 2010, a criminal case was initiated against the police officers of the Khasavyurt GOVD under article on excess of police power. The other day, a criminal case against Sapiyat Magomedova herself was initiated under article on "insulting a power representative". On last September 30, Sapiyat Magomedova had signed a recognizance not to leave the place.

Accusations against Sapiyat Magomedova were presented on July 27, she is being charged of violence against power officials and insulting police officers on duty. In case she is found guilty, Sapiyat Magomedova would face a threat of up to five years of imprisonment and deprivation of the lawyer's status.

According to the HRW's message received by the "Caucasian Knot" edition office, these charges are very similar to a revenge for Magomedova's attempts to bring to justice the police officers who had beaten her.

"How can the lawyers seek justice for their clients, when they themselves are being attacked and prosecuted on their professional duties?" says Tatiana Lokshina, Senior Researcher of the HRW for Russia, and continues: "Flagrant charges against Magomedova represent a clear example of harassment against lawyers in Dagestan."

The AI has sent a protest on the case against Sapiyat Magomedova to Yury Chaika, Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigatory Committee, and Magomedsalam Magomedov, the leader of Dagestan.

"The AI fears that Sapiyat Magomedova is being prosecuted for her professional activity as an independent lawyer," the "Voice of America" quotes the AI's statement.