Defence intends to appeal against extension of arrest of Dagestani wrestler Osmanov

The advocate of the wrestler Said Osmanov, suspected of vandalizing the statue of Buddha in Elista, expects to change the measure of the freedom restraint of his client for house arrest.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on April 2, Said Osmanov, a member of the Dagestani team in Greco-Roman wrestling, was detained; and a criminal case was initiated against him for violating the right to the freedom of conscience and religion. On May 31, Osmanov's arrest was extended until July 2.

According to Bakanai Guseinova, Osmanov's advocate, her client is suspected of a minor offense, and the "freedom restriction measures provide for detention." "But in my practice, is the first case that a guy, never prosecuted earlier, charges under this article, is behind bars and investigators ask to extend the detention," she said.

The advocate has provided the court with medical certificates, according to which Osmanov's custody may damage his health.

She added that, in fact, "there is no proof of the guilt" of her client. "There are testimonies of two women who allegedly saw how my client had committed the crime. But these very women act as witnesses in another case. This suggests that the women are investigators' dependents. The case was given a national-religious colouring; and made it a political case," said Bakanai Guseinova, adding that she intends to appeal against the judgement.

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