Imam Makhmud Velitov left under house arrest until October 27

On August 25, the court extended by two other months the house arrest of Makhmud Velitov, Imam of the Moscow mosque "Yardyam", whose statements about Abdulla Gappaev, a religious figure killed in Kizlyar, were treated by investigators as a public justification of terrorism. The Imam's defence intends to appeal against the court's decision.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Makhmud Velitov was detained on July 11. The Imam pleaded guilty in part. On July 12, the Butyrsky District Court of Moscow placed Makhmud Velitov under house arrest until August 27. On August 2, the Moscow City Court recognized the decision as lawful.

The term of the preliminary investigation into the case has been extended, and in the course of the investigation, it is planned to question a witness and carry out a psycho-linguistic examination of the books, seized from the Imam, reports investigator Nikita Ratnikov.

Advocate Dagir Khasavov has presented to the court medical resolutions stating that Makhmud Velitov should lead a more active lifestyle and take walks after an apoplectic attack, the RAPSI (Russian Agency of Legal and Judicial Information) reports.

The Imam himself has stated he does not intend to hide and requested to release him on recognizance not to leave.

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