Relatives of Anzorei villagers treat case of Sharia patrols as mistake

Relatives of eleven residents of the village of Anzorei, whom investigators had treated as members of an extremist community, told the "Caucasian Knot" that they knew nothing about Sharia patrols. The case files indicate that the defendants had intimidated local residents with threats and beatings.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in late October, the court ruled to place residents of the Leskensky District, aged 24-43, into custody; according to the police, they were members of an extremist community and used force against those who did not share their views.

Relatives of those accused, as well as other Anzorei villagers, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, said they knew nothing about any Sharia patrols.

Prior to his detention, Islam Bezrokov was engaged in construction, said his mother, Maria Apekova. She said that not only her son, but all those arrested were involved in charity activities. In particular, they helped low-income families and those with many children; and they built a house for one needy fellow villager. "There were no patrols; there was no radicalism," Maria Apekova has stated.

Khabil Karatsukov, the father of Amirkhan Karatsukov, also does not understand why his son was arrested. According to the father, the house was searched, but no weapons or extremist literature were found. Khabil Karatsukov had not heard anything about Sharia patrols.

Murat Gyatov, the Anzorei villager, for whom they built a house, also said that he had known nothing about any Sharia patrols.

Martuz Azamatov, another villager, has stated that he knows all those arrested almost from childhood. "They help people. For example, they helped me to roof my house; and they built a house for my neighbour. They are all good guys."

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 23, 2020 at 11:00 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.