Akhmed Nalgiev voices his claims to public prosecutors

Akhmed Nalgiev, a resident of Magas, refused to admit to participating in an unsanctioned rally and rejected the charge with assaulting two law enforcers. The man claims that the criminal proceedings against him deprived him of his job and damaged his reputation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Akhmed Nalgiev has been kept in custody since April 23, 2019.

According to public prosecutors, in the morning on March 27, 2019, Akhmed Nalgiev took an active part in clashes between the participants of the unsanctioned rally and fighters of the National Guard of Russia and the OMON (riot police). Investigators claim that Akhmed Nalgiev kicked a shield of a National Guard fighter and then stroke with his fist another law enforcer to his neck.

While the above information was read out at the Zheleznovodsk City Court, Akhmed Nalgiev was laughing, being clearly nervous, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported.

"Do you plead guilty?" the judge asked the defendant. "No. Never! I have not been there. I have not beaten anyone," Akhmed Nalgiev answered.

Akhmed Nalgiev told the court that he worked as a trainer at school. "Before the work, I did a morning run every day past the VGTRK square," he said. The defendant explained that he went on a similar run in the morning on March 27, 2019. According to Akhmed Nalgiev, while running past the square, he saw a crowd of people and, being interested in learning what was happening, stood there "for no more than 15 minutes." The defendant claims there were no clashes between protestors and law enforcers at that time.

Akhmed Nalgiev voiced his counterclaims to the public prosecutors. "Why did you take me into custody? Why are you touching my honour? I lost my job because of you," the former kickboxing coach claimed.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 14, 2019 at 02:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.