Moscow hosts pickets against deportation of Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov

In Moscow, rights defenders have held three solo pickets near the Embassy of Poland. The protestors have stated that the return of Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov to Russia threatens his life.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Tumso Abdurakhmanov, wanted in Russia, tried to seek asylum in Georgia and Poland. According to the Chechen law enforcement bodies, Tumso Abdurakhmanov was involved in militant groupings in Syria. On September 27, he said that the authorities of Poland had refused to grant him asylum.

The protest action involved Oleg Orlov, the head of the "Hot Points" programme of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", Vladimir Malykhin, a member of the HRC "Memorial", and Svetlana Gannushkina, the head of the "Civic Assistance" Committee.

"Already in January, Tumso Abdurakhmanov can be expelled to Russia. Of course, the expulsion would mean for him at least torture and mockery, and I do not rule out an extrajudicial execution," Oleg Orlov said.

Svetlana Gannushkina has stated it is possible that Tumso Abdurakhmanov will disappear after his return to Russia.

Vladimir Malykhin has also noted that the fate of Tumso Abdurakhmanov after his return to Russia could be tragic.