Defence demands to acquit residents of Ingushetia accused of terrorism

The guilt of the five residents of Ingushetia of plotting a terror act at the French Embassy in Moscow has not been proved, except for their testimonies knocked out under torture, their advocates have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 15, 2016, the FSB announced detention of suspects of preparing terror acts in Ingushetia and Moscow, and of links with the "Islamic State" (IS), a terrorist organization, banned in Russia by the court. The prosecutor asked from 13 to 20 years in prison for them.

Magomed Amatkhanov admits that he travelled to Syria in 2014. and in 2016, he brought Zubairi Sautiev to Ingushetia, but did not know about Sautiev's intentions, said Magomed Gandaur-Egi, one of the advocates. He insists that his client was forced to confess.

According to the advocate, Amatkhanov did not profess extremist religious convictions; and after his trip to Syria, he lost all illusions; and he did not swear an oath to the IS.

"Amatkhanov is the father of three children ... He professes the traditional Islam and wants to live the life of a respectable person," Mr Gandaur-Egi has concluded.

Marat Utyushev, the advocate of Salamkhan Sampiev, said that investigators did not check whether there were instruments of torture in law enforcers' premises. "Sampiev was promised repressions against his relatives," said the advocate, adding that torture has brought Sampiev to a mental illness.

Ruslan Esmurziev was outraged by the accusation of hatred of other religions. "In Volgograd, I lived with Russians and Armenians, who professed other religions. I participated in the organization 'Peoples' Friendship'; and I have letters of gratitude," he said.