Defence reports Geriev’s transfer to Chernokozovo SIZO

The advocates of Zhalaudi Geriev, a "Caucasian Knot" journalist, sentenced in Chechnya to three years in prison, have drafted a cassation complaint against the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Chechen Republic. Meanwhile, Geriev has been temporarily transferred to the SIZO (pre-trial prison) in Chernokozovo.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on December 28, 2016, the Chechnya’s SC upheld the verdict to Zhalaudi Geriev, passed on September 5 by the Shali District Court and sentencing him to three years prison on charges of possessing marijuana. The defence treats SC’s decision as illegitimate.

Zhalaudi Geriev has been placed in SIZO-2, located in the village of Chernokozovo, Jabrail Abubakarov, a Ceriev’s advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, without specifying the reason of his client’s transfer.

"Next week he will be brought back,” said Abubakarov. “A protocol has been prepared; and we’ll be studying it."

The point is about the protocol of the court session of the appellate instance, Nadezhda Ermolaeva, another Geriev’s advocate, explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"I don’t understand the aim of transferring Geriev to Chernokozovo. Nothing has prevented his acquaintance with the protocol,” she said. “I’ve first met in my practice with a defendant’s transfer for the purpose of acquainting him with the protocol of the court of appeal."

She also said about the completion of the cassation complaint against the decision of the SC of Chechnya. "Early next week we’ll lodge the complaint to the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Chechen Republic,” Ms Ermolaeva has added.

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