Judicial investigation into case of Imam of Kislovodsk is over

The Predgorny District Court of the Stavropol Territory has announced the completion of the judicial investigation into the case of Kurman-Ali Baichorov, the Imam of the city of Kislovodsk accused of drug trafficking. The oral statements of the parties will be heard on November 12.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 29, 2013, Imam Kislovodsk Kurman-Ali (Kurman) Baichorov was accused of illegal possession of narcotic drugs. Kurman-Ali Baichorov pleads not guilty.

At the today's court session, the defence of the religious leader continued presenting evidence of Baichorov's innocence; however, the court did not allow the advocates to completely realize their right to defend the client, and announced the stage of judicial investigation completed and transition to oral statements of the parties, Adam Abubakarov, one of the advocates, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Contrary to all norms of the law, the court has declared the judicial inquiry over, again without asking the parties' opinions; and it was done right in the course of presenting evidence by the defence. For three times we had petitioned to reopen the inquiry and brought objections against the actions of the chairing judge, and challenged him, since he had directly broken the law; we read out to him the requirement of Article 291 of the Russian Code of Criminal Procedure; but still, he announced the inquiry over," said the advocate.

The defence of Baichorov still has proofs to present in the court; however, the judge has deprived the advocates of this chance, Abubakarov has noted.

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