Ezhiev: policemen detain women-solo picketers in support of Kislovodsk Imam

As reported by Minkail Ezhiev, the head of the Human Rights Centre of Chechnya, policemen would not release women-solo picketers in support of Kurman-Ali Baichorov, the Imam of the city of Kislovodsk, from the courtroom of the Predgorny District Court of the Stavropol Territory.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 29, 2013, the Imam of Kislovodsk Kurman-Ali (Kurman) Baichorov was charged with illegal possession of narcotic drugs.

As reported by Fatima Alieva, Baichorov's wife, the solo pickets were held by Sapiyat Baichorova, Kurman-Ali's sister, and Kheda Saratova, a member of the Council for Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights at the head of the Chechen Republic and a member of the Presidium of the "United Caucasian Forum".

Saratova has noted that there was no violation of the law, in particular, the Law "On Assemblies, Rallies, Demonstrations, Marches and Pickets", since solo pickets require no coordination with the authorities.

After their action, the women-picketers entered the courtroom and watched the litigation, said Alieva. Later, policemen entered the room and demanded from the activists to follow them to the police station. According to their version, the women held a rally, which was not sanctioned.

Minkail Ezhiev asserts that policemen refused to present any documents sanctioning the detention.