In Dagestan, defence of convict for keeping "suicide belt" prepares appeal

Today, the advocate of Sabina Abakarova, convicted in Dagestan for possessing a "suicide belt", received the verdict in written form and declared his intention to appeal against it. According to his story, the judicial investigation had shown that the belt was planted into the house of his client.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Abakarova's case arrived at the court on January 30, 2014. She was accused of keeping a "suicide bomber's belt". The defendant insists that the above "belt" was planted during the search. On September 16, 2014, the Sovietskiy District Court of Makhachkala has sentenced Sabina Abakarova, charged with illegal possession of weapons, to six months in custody, which she has already served during the investigation and trial.

"All the materials of the case evidence her innocence. Firstly, the search was fixed by video; however, for some unknown reason the record was not attached to the case files. The video clearly shows that the 'suicide belt' was planted, because neither the moment of detecting the 'belt', nor the witnesses of the cats and other searchers were recorded," the advocate Konstantin Mudunov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Secondly, as he said, the search was conducted within the case about the terror act in Ordjonikidze Street in Makhachkala; however, the charges of involvement in terrorist activities were removed from Abakarova. "These charges were not confirmed in the course of investigation. Then why should Abakarova keep the belt? For household purposes?" asked the advocate.

Konstantin Mudunov intends to lodge the appeal no later than September 22.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.