00:38, 21 March 2014

Advocate: witness tells court that Bagavutdinova is pressured by law enforcers

On March 20, the court held a hearing in the case against Zarema Bagavutdinova, a member of the Dagestani Regional Public Organization (DRPO) "Pravozaschita", who was accused of promoting terrorist activities. The court questioned Aisha Selimkhanova, a defence witness, a colleague of the defendant.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Zarema Bagavutdinova is accused that, according to the testimonies of secret witnesses, in November 2011, she recruited Mamma Dalgatov, a native of Dagestan, to become a member of the armed underground. The defence believes the charges are unfounded.

On March 20, at the Buynaksk City Court, Aisha Selimkhanova, a member of the DRPO "Pravozaschita", reported that Zarema Bagavutdinova was her colleague and that she represented the human rights organization in Buynaksk and in the Buynaksk District. "Aisha Selimkhanova has also explained that law enforcement bodies subjected Zarema Bagavutdinova to pressure and hindered her activities," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by advocate Ziyavutdin Uvaisov.

The next court hearing in the case against Zarema Bagavutdinova is scheduled for April 8. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by officials from the secretariat of the Buynaksk City Court.

Source: CK correspondent