Relatives of Dagestani resident claim fabrication of criminal case

An advocate and human rights defenders complain about numerous violations of the investigation into the criminal case brought against Marcel Gamidov, a resident of the village of Karlanyurt, Khasavyurt District of Dagestan, suspected of illegal possession of firearms.

Search at Gamidovs' was conducted with gross violations, lawyer says

The case of Marcel Gamidov, a fifth-year student of the Department of Foreign Languages of the Dagestan State University, initiated under Part 1, Article 222, of the Criminal Code, is run by U. Ibragimov, an inspector of the Khasavyurt ROVD (District Interior Division) of the Russian MIA.

According to Ruslan Umaev, the detainee's advocate, by opening the criminal case the investigatory bodies tried to reveal his client's involvement in illegal armed formations (IAFs) in Dagestan. However, according to Umaev, inspectors have no evidences "either of firearm possession or involvement in IAFs."

He also believes that the search at Gamidov's residence was held with gross violations. "The criminal case was opened after agents had allegedly found and confiscated found and seized a Makarov pistol with a silencer and eight 9-mm rounds in the house where the Gamidovs live. However, the defence has reason to state that the search and confiscation of the above material evidences were held with serious violations, while the fingerprint examination conducted under my petition revealed no Marcel's fingerprints on the pistol, allegedly confiscated from his house," Ruslan Umaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He also explained that in the period from November 25 to December 13, 2011, Marcel stayed without any breaks at the Republic's Oncology Centre in Makhachkala, where he took care of his seriously ill father.

The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", where Gamidov's relatives turned for help, has also claimed violations committed during the search.

Another fact, which deserves attention, as Elena Denisenko, the representative of the HRC "Memorial" in Dagestan, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, is that the Gamidovs live in the village, "however, the policemen brought search witnesses from Khasavyurt with them."

Relatives state physical violence applied by policemen against Marcel Gamidov

Also, according to the relatives, whose words were confirmed by Marcel Gamidov's advocate, after detention he was exposed to physical violence.

As explained by Elena Denisenko, the lawyer had immediately filed a motion for a medical certification of Gamidov; however, the motion remains unsatisfied to this day.

A source from the investigatory unit of the Khasavyurt ROVD told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the above case is investigation and refrained from other comments.