Zaur Tokhov's defence demands to cancel his conviction

After a retrial of the case of Zaur Tokhov, a resident of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), his prison term was increased by two years. His defence that insists on complete Tokhov's innocence has challenged the verdict at the Supreme Court of the KBR.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 8, 2014, Zaur Tokhov was found guilty of illegal possession of weapons and narcotic drugs, as well as aiding militants. The court sentenced him to 3.5 years in prison, but on November 11, 2014, the Supreme Court of the KBR overturned the verdict and sent the case back for retrial.

In October 2014, Zaur Tokhov applied to Boris Zumakulov, the Ombudsman for the KBR, to the republic's human rights centre and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial". In his application, the 34-year-old Zaur Tokhov argued that he was forced under torture to sign a confession of aiding militants.

The Supreme Court pointed out, as grounds for cancelling the first verdict, that the first instance court had not assessed the evidence and the conclusion of the forensic expertise on drug and Tokhov's statement on application of illegal methods of investigation to him. During the repeated consideration, the court not only failed to eliminate these drawbacks, but even exacerbated them, Madina Kipova, the advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

On September 25, the Zolsky District Court found Zaur Tokhov guilty of illegal possession of weapons and narcotic drugs, and of aiding militants. He was sentenced to 5.5 years in a general security colony. Thus, the retrial had added two years to the first verdict, Madina Kipova has explained.

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