09:43, 5 September 2019

Defence informs ECtHR about law enforcers' threats to Dagestani who complained of torture

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Photo: REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

A complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on torture and threats of torture applied and addressed to Omar Abdurashidov, accused of financing terrorism, was filed on September 3, his advocate Sapiyat Magomedova has stated. She has added that her client is in a depressed state and claims pressure from law enforcers.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported, referring to Abdurashidov's relatives, that he was kidnapped on March 28, 2019, in Makhachkala. On March 31, Abdurashidov was arrested.

According to investigators, Abdurashidov had transferred 200,000 roubles to militants; Omar denies the allegations and claims that he was tortured with the aim to knock out evidence against a former high-ranking law enforcers.

According to the advocate, Abdurashidov was kidnapped "with the aim to force him to self-incriminate."

On April 6, members of the Public Oversight Commission (POC) of Dagestan recorded possible traces of torture on Abdurashidov's body. On July 4 and 11, his relatives went to pickets in Makhachkala, declaring the illegality of his criminal prosecution.

"On August 15, the head of one of the power agencies of Dagestan began threatening Abdurashidov, demanding that he again testify against himself. Otherwise, he threatened Omar to torture him again," said the advocate.

"Abdurashidov is at the verge of a nervous breakdown; he states that he won't withstand torture again," Ms Magomedova has added.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 4, 2019 at 04:06 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Patimat Makhmudova

Source: CK correspondent