Court leaves Khazbiev under arrest

At the regular session on the case of the Ingush oppositionist Magomed Khazbiev, the court has extended his arrest until November 29, while his defence asked to release him on bail.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the trial of Magomed Khazbiev began in June. He was accused of illegal possession of weapons after his house in Nazran was searched in January 2015, and went to Chechnya, where he lived for several years under the state protection. Then, in January 2018, he returned to Ingushetia and was arrested. The earlier charge was added by accusations of insulting a state official and inciting hatred and enmity towards a social group. Khazbiev refused to plead guilty and pointed to the political background of his case.

At its session on November 8, the court considered the extension of Khazbiev's arrest, as its term was to expire on November 11. Kheda Ibrieva, his advocate, filed a petition asking to mitigate the freedom restraint of her client and release him on bail of 500,000 roubles.

The state prosecutor opposed the petition; and the court supported him by extending Khazbiev's arrest until November 29. Khazbiev himself met this decision with a sarcastic remark, reminding the judge that he had earlier urged not to protract the trial.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 9, 2018 at 01:34 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.