17:58, 1 August 2017

Russian SC upholds verdict to Imam Velitov

The Supreme Court (SC) of Russia has dismissed an appeal filed by the defence of Makhmud Velitov, the imam of the Moscow "Yardyam" mosque, sentenced to three years of imprisonment for public justification of terrorism.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the verdict to Makhmud Velitov was pronounced at a hearing of the Moscow District Military Court on April 28. The defence appealed against the verdict.

Prosecutors saw justification of terrorism in the Makhmud Velitov's interview and preaching about Abdulla Gappaev, a Dagestani religious figure, murdered in 2013, who, according to investigators, was a member of the organization "Hizb ut-Tahrir" (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization and banned by court's decision). According to Makhmud Velitov, he was not aware of the fact that the law enforcement agencies treated Abdulla Gappaev as a terrorist.

At a hearing held today, on August 1, the Supreme Court of Russia recognized as legal the verdict to Makhmud Velitov, the Imam of the "Yardyam" mosque.

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