Said Osmanov detained immediately after release from custody

The Dagestani wrestler Said Osmanov, accused of desecrating the statue of Buddha and released today by the court, was detained again, said his advocate Asad Djabirov.

At night on April 2, Said Osmanov, a member of the Dagestani team in Greco-Roman wrestling, was detained on suspicion of desecrating the statue of Buddha in the city of Elista.

On June 10, the Supreme Court of Kalmykia released the athlete on bail of 150,000 roubles. However, this decision, according to advocates, was not enforced.

"Said Osmanov was taken out of the SIZO (pre-trial prison) to some unknown place; and at about 10:30 p.m. he was detained again under Part 1, Article 282 (actions aimed at inciting hatred or enmity, as well as at humiliation of human dignity)," Djabirov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Osmanov is accused for insulting a woman-resident of Kalmykia, who made a remark to him, on the nationality basis, said the advocate.

"The Kalmyk woman, who acted at the trial of Said's case as a witness, now, all of a sudden, became a victim. He is accused of insulting her, on the same day, when he desecrated the statue of Buddha, referring to her nationality. This article provides for imprisonment of up to 4 years," said Asad Djabirov.

Advocates disagree with the detention of their client and intend to appeal against it.

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