Issa Khashagulgov's defence to challenge investigators' actions

The lawyers intend to challenge actions of the head of the investigatory group against Issa Khashagulgov, a native of Ingushetia. Besides, Batyrbek Akhilgov and Rosa Alieva stated that they could not meet their client.

"As we know, he is not at the SIZO (pre-trial prison). Issa Khashagulgov is kept in the temporary detention facility (IVS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. All our attempts to contact the investigators have not succeeded," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by the lawyer Batyrbek Akhilgov.

In their complaint, the lawyers intend to base on Article 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which stipulates that "actions of a head of an investigatory body, violating rights of citizens to access to justice, may be challenged at court."

"I met Akhmed Kotiev, Secretary of the Security Council of Ingushetia, and asked him to help in obtaining information on the whereabouts of my husband," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Pyatimat, the wife of Issa Khashagulgov.

A similar situation occurred, when her husband was transferred from the SIZO to the IVS for several days. At that time, the contacts with him were also lost, and his whereabouts remained a mystery. Later, it became known that at that time Issa was subjected to torture, the woman said.

"In December 2011, at the session of the Supreme Court of North Ossetia, when the detention period for Issa was once again prolonged till March 24, 2012, Judge Venera Daurova, Chair of the trial, said that if the investigators did not provide materials to prove his guilt, then the court would have no more reasons to prolong his detention," Pyatimat Khashagulgova stated.

"In the nearest future, I will contact law enforcement officers from the neighbouring country to try to inquire about the whereabouts of Issa Khashagulgov and to assist lawyers to meet their client," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was promised by Akhmed Kotiev.