Alexander Bendenko claims being pressed at SIZO

Alexander Bendenko, a defendant in the case on creation in Karachay-Cherkessia of a unit for the "Islamic State" (IS) recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia by court's decision, has complained of pressure from law enforcers because he had retracted his confession.

The "Caucasian Knot" has informed that in October 2016, law enforcers reported the detention of six residents of Karachay-Cherkessia, Dagestan, and the Stavropol Territory on suspicion of involvement in the "Islamic State" (IS), banned in Russia by court's decision and recognized as a terrorist organization. Five detainees complained of torture during the investigation.

On November 24, the North-Caucasian District Military Court continued the hearing in the case.

Defendant Alexander Bendenko told the Court that on November 21, under the pretext of a conversation with the chief of the SIZO (pre-trial prison), he was brought to an office, where several law enforcers stayed. According to the defendant, he was given "a hello" from the law enforcers, who supervised his case. He also had to listen to statements of dissatisfaction expressed due to the fact that Alexander Bendenko retracted his confession at the trial. Besides, threats were voiced against him.

In a written motion, Valery Merkulov, an advocate of the defendant, has asked the Court to request the SIZO administration to submit video records from surveillance cameras on November 21 to determine who of law enforcers visited Alexander Bendenko and to question them at the trial. However, the Court granted the motion in part. The judge refused to send a request to submit the video records, but at the same time promised to send a letter to the SIZO with a demand to take measures to exclude pressure on Alexander Bendenko.

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