Relatives of Shamil Umakhanov to challenge verdict in case of IS recruitment

Relatives of Shamil Umakhanov, found guilty on the charge of recruiting militants for the "Islamic State" (IS) in the Stavropol Territory, have announced their intention to appeal against the court's decision. Relatives of Magomed Aliev, another convict, will seek his transfer to Dagestan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Sultan Yakhyaev, Asad Musaev, Magomed Aliev, Shamil Umakhanov, Mukhamed Shamsutdinov, and Rasim Djalalov were charged under Articles "aiding and abetting in terrorist activities" and "illegal possession of weapons and ammunition" of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. On December 1, the court sentenced them to 5-7 years of imprisonment.

According to a relative of Shamil Umakhanov, sentenced to six years of imprisonment in a common-security penal colony, they plan to appeal against the court's decision.

Let us remind you that earlier, the relatives of Shamil Umakhanov stated that "he said that he called on to Islam, and nothing more."

In their turn, the relatives of Magomed Aliev, another defendant in the criminal case, deny any involvement of the sentenced men in the terrorist activities.

"They had a hope to declare their innocence at the trial and to retract their confessions. However, they were on purpose left at the SIZO (pre-trial prison) in the Stavropol Territory, and the court hearing was held through conference communication means," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by a female relative of Magomed Aliev.

According to the woman, the relatives intend to ensure that Magomed Aliev will be transferred to Dagestan, his place of residence. "We have to ensure that he will receive medical treatment. He got serious health problems," said the female relative of the sentenced man.

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