Defence treats extension of Zarifa Sautieva's arrest as unjustified

Prosecutors failed to sufficiently substantiate their version that after leaving the SIZO (pre-trial prison), Zarifa Sautieva may hide from investigators. This opinion was voiced by an advocate when he commented on the court's decision to extend the arrest of the Ingush activist.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Zarifa Sautieva was detained on July 12. Since July 15, she was under arrest in Nalchik. On July 20, the defence appealed against the activist's arrest, but on August 1, the Supreme Court (SC) of Kabardino-Balkaria upheld the decision on the detention of Zarifa Sautieva. She filed a complaint to the court about the detention conditions at the SIZO.

On September 9, in Yessentuki, the court pronounced the decision to extend until December 11 the detention of Zarifa Sautieva, who was arrested in the case on use of violence at a rally in Magas.

Advocate Bilan Dzugaev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that in their arguments, the prosecutors stated that Zarifa Sautieva could flee and "use her channels to influence the people of Ingushetia." However, no evidence has been given, Bilan Dzugaev reports.

Formally, Zarifa Sautieva is accused of using violence against policemen, while in fact, she is being prosecuted for participating in protests, "as if it were a crime," the advocate said. According to the prosecutors, Zarifa Sautieva "disliked Ingush leader Evkurov, she showed her dislike in a very cynical way, and when she is released, she will again engage the population of the republic in political activity," notes advocate Bilan Dzugaev.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 10, 2019 at 08:15 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.