23:35, 29 August 2020

Martin Kochesoko's fellow villagers urge authorities to ensure trial objectivity

Martin Kochesoko. Screenshot of the post on Martin Kochesoko's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsh4ROQFRbL/

An initiative group of Verkhniy Kurkuzhin villagers is seeking a meeting with Kazbek Kokov, the head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), to discuss the case initiated against Martin Kochesoko. His fellow villagers are sure of his innocence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that contrary to the confessions signed after the detention, Martin Kochesoko declared his innocence. His colleagues are sure he is prosecuted for his social and political activities. Investigators have demonstrated their bias, Azamat Tsagov, the board chairman of the NGO "Khabze", believes.

Kochesoko was detained on June 7, 2019. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reported that he had pleaded guilty to drugs possession, but the activist said that drugs had been planted on him. He faces up to ten years in prison.

"Martin grew up before our eyes and was brought up in the best traditions of our nation. Attempts to accuse him of being involved in drug dealing can cause nothing but indignation and anger," says the letter of Verkhniy Kurkuzhin villagers, who are sure that Kochesoko's criminal case was falsified.

His fellow villagers intend to ask the head of the republic to ensure "a fair decision so that an innocent guy is not convicted," said Mukhamed Tatimov, one of the signatories.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 29, 2020 at 00:15 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Lyudmila Maratova

Source: CK correspondent