Defence of Imam of Kislovodsk states violation of constitutional rights of Kurman-Ali Baichorov at the trial

New evidence has appeared about the involvement of MIA and FSB agents in criminal prosecution of Imam of Kislovodsk Kurman-Ali Baichorov; and in this context, the court's refusal to grant the petition to return the case to the stage of judicial investigation is illegitimate, said the Imam's advocates. According to the defence, the principles of equality and contentiousness of the parties were violated during the trial.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Kurman-Ali Baichorov was accused of illegal possession of drugs, but the Imam refuses to plead guilty and demands a withdrawal of the court; while the state prosecutor demands to find Baichorov guilty and sentence him to 5 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 roubles.

Alaudi Musaev, one of Baichorov's advocates, stated in the debates on December 18 that the Imam's wife had again received a letter with information about the participants and organizers of the provocation against Baichorov from among law enforcement officials.

Alexander Fedulov, another advocate, believes that in Baichorov's trial the court "demonstrates an absence of the desire to objectively clear up the Imam's criminal case." The court failed to examine even the proofs that it itself had ensured, the lawyer said.

Sultan Togonidze, the Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Russian Congress of Caucasian Nations, also said that "in Baichorov's case we can see discernible falsification elements of the evidence of his guilt."

The next court session is scheduled for December 29, said the Predgorny City Court.

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