Uzhakhov refuses to attend court session

Malsag Uzhakhov, the head of the Council of Teips (family clans) of Ingushetia, has refused to be present at the next court session, at which the investigators' petition to extend his custody should be considered. Djabrail Kuriev, his advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that three leaders of protests in Ingushetia – Akhmet Barakhoev, Musa Malsagov and Barakh Chemurziev – were arrested within a criminal case about incitement to mass riots and violence against the authorities. Under the case of the attack on policemen, Malsag Uzhakhov, the head of the Ingush Council of Teips, and Ismail Nalgiev, the coordinator of the organization "Choice of Ingushetia", were also arrested. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" declared all the five to be political prisoners.

Malsag Uzhakhov explained his refusal by the fact that during his transportation from the Vladikavkaz SIZO (pre-trial prison) to the City Court of Nalchik, he felt bad.

"The investigators who demand my client's presence in the courtroom at the consideration of their motion to extend his custody, forget that Malsag Uzhakhov is a disabled and elderly person; he has a whole bunch of serious illnesses ... The lack of fresh air in a closed metal paddy wagon, especially when the air temperature is plus 25 – and in a metal wagon it's 3-5 degrees higher – is negatively affecting his health condition: his blood tension goes up; he has headaches. According to his story, there was a moment, when his eyes darkened, he felt dizzy and only with an effort of his will he could stay on his feet," Mr Kuriev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 10, 2019 at 05:49 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.