08:40, 8 March 2019

UN Human Rights Council demands to release Oyub Titiev

Oyub Titiev. Photo by Patimat Makhmudova for the "Caucasian Knot"

Russian authorities should immediately release Oyub Titiev, the head of the Grozny office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", experts of the UN Human Rights Council have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 21, 2019, the judicial investigation into Titiev's case was completed. The court openly supports the prosecution, but the defence is hoping for his release after sentencing, Titiev's advocates believe. After his arrest and the pressure on his colleagues, the HRC "Memorial" was forced to close its office in Chechnya.

Titiev is charged with possessing marijuana; he insists that the drug was planted on him.

"We are deeply concerned about his arrest on these apparently trumped-up charges, since it seems to have been motivated by Titiev's peaceful human rights activities," says the website of the UN Human Rights Council.

Experts pointed to the "apparent lack of a fair trial," adding that the decisive court sessions were held behind closed doors. In their opinion, the Titiev's trial and attacks on the HRC "Memorial" are elements of the campaign aimed to intimidate this human rights organization.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 7, 2019 at 10:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.