HRC "Memorial" recognizes Imam Magomednabi Magomedov as political prisoner

The criminal proceedings against Magomednabi Magomedov, the Imam of the "Eastern" mosque of Khasavyurt, accused of public calls for terrorism, are aimed at stopping the activity, uncomfortable for the Dagestani authorities. This was stated by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 8, the Imam was detained after he had demanded to release the detained mosque visitors. The Imam was suspected of inciting terrorism during the sermon held on February 5 and spreading on the Internet "the materials aimed at inciting hatred." Meanwhile, mosque visitors reported that the sermon, on the contrary, had been devoted to ways of peaceful ways of protection of the Salafis' rights.

The case against the Imam has been sent to the North-Caucasian District Military Court.

The video record of the sermon does not contain any calls for acts of violence and especially for terrorism, the HRC "Memorial" reports.

"Magomedov adhered to a non-offensive manner and accused law enforcers of violation of the law and malfeasance. And it is the inalienable right of a citizen, which cannot be treated as a criminal offense... Magomedov set all his hopes for justice on Allah, and he encourages his audience to unite and support each other," emphasizes the HRC "Memorial".

According to the human rights defenders, they treat the arrest of Magomednabi Magomedov as "a provocation against the law-abiding member of the moderate Salafi movement, who contributed to reduction of radicalism among the mosque-goers."

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