Zhalaudi Geriev claims testifying under pressure

Journalist Zhalaudi Geriev, sentenced in Chechnya, insists on his innocence. He claims that during the preliminary investigation, he testified under pressure. Relatives of the journalist associate his prosecution with his professional activities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Shali District Court of Chechnya sentenced Zhalaudi Geriev to three years of imprisonment on the charge of drug possession. The journalist's defence believes that the prosecutors' version did not find confirmation in the court.

According to the relatives of Zhalaudi Geriev, for a long time, they "hesitated to report on his detention, since they feared for his life."

A member of a local NGO believes that "drugs were planted to Zhalaudi Geriev in connection with his work at the 'Caucasian Knot'."

According to advocate Alaudi Musaev, the case against Zhalaudi Geriev "contains numerous violations of the criminal procedures." In particular, it follows from the case materials that Zhalaudi Geriev did not use narcotic and psychotropic substances.

The advocate claims that the police had no legal grounds for the search of Zhalaudi Geriev; moreover, the policemen had failed to explain his rights.

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