19:31, 2 February 2018

Russian Ombudsperson urges to transfer Titiev's case to NCFD for greater objectivity

Oyub Titiev (left) and his advocate Petr Zaikin. Photo: "Memorial" press service

Tatiana Moskalkova, the Russia's Ombudsperson, has appealed to the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) asking them to transfer the case of Oyub Titiev, the head of the Chechen branch of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", for investigating at the higher level – to the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD).

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since January 11, Oyub Titiev is in custody on charges of marijuana possession. He claims that drug was planted on him.

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has several times publicly blamed the rights defender as a drug addict; however, without mentioning his surname. Besides, on January 25, in his interview to the "Daily Storm", Kadyrov emphasized that "there is a witness who stated that Titiev was smoking hashish."

"Tatiana Moskalkova has turned to Russia's MIA bosses, urging them to transfer Oyub Titiev's criminal case to the level of the NCFD," the TASS quotes today the Ombudsperson's press service.

In the opinion of Ms Moskalkova, this "would contribute to greater objectivity and confidence in the authorities."

On January 31, the HRC "Memorial" urged non-indifferent people to join the solidarity campaign and support Oyub Titiev.

"We think that that every non-indifferent person should try to influence the fate of our friend and colleague, we ask you to join our action and send requests to Russian President with a demand to release Oyub Titiev," calls the HRC's website.

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