Residents of Ingushetia accused of terrorism denied inquiry into torture

The persons accused of plotting terror acts in Ingushetia and at the French Embassy in Moscow were denied initiating a case on the abuse of official powers by law enforcers.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 15, 2016, five suspects were detained – Salamkhan Sampiev, Ruslan Esmurziev, Khusen Kitiev, Magomed Amatkhanov and Elbert Kharsiev. Investigators believe that they had links with the "Islamic State", a terrorist organization, banned in Russia by the court. The defendants claimed that they had confessed under torture.

Ruslan Esmurziev said in his application that after his detention, he was beaten up, and his body hair was set on fire. However, according to an investigator, Esmurziev had not complained of torture to him.

Salamkhan Sampiev claimed that he had been tortured with electric current. However, in the opinion of the investigator, the torture applications were given "in order to avoid criminal responsibility."

Ruslan Esmurziev, another defendant, is losing his eyesight, because he was detained shortly after surgery, said Ilya Likhachov, his advocate, who is sure that in case of blindness, Esmurziev could not be held in custody.

Every person in custody has the right to medical care, said Leonid Petrashis, the chairman of the Public Oversight Commission (POC) of the Rostov Region.