06:49, 5 May 2021

Investigators ban relatives' visits to Chechen gays Magamadov and Isaev

Because of a resolution about state protection, Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isaev, arrested in Chechnya, have been transferred to another block of the SIZO (pre-trial prison), in which video recording is made in the corridors, while because of the threat of an "honour killing" investigators have prohibited their relatives to visit them. The court has extended the young men's stay in custody until July 6, their advocate has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the court arrested the 20-year-old Salekh Magamadov and his brother Ismail until May 7. Their defence has stated that their life is under threat, as their relatives are persuaded to commit an "honour killing" of them. On April 29, it became known that Magamadov and Isaev would receive the state protection, as the state had recognized the reality of the threat to their lives, said Alexander Nemov, an advocate.

On March 30, the Russian LGBT Network reported that law enforcers were trying to persuade some distant relatives of Magamadov and Isaev to commit an "honour killing". According to Chechen customs, distant relatives can also commit "honour killings", human rights defenders have explained.

According to the advocate, his clients are unhappy with the non-admission of relatives and stated that their new cells are worse than those where they were kept before.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 4, 2021 at 03:34 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Semyon Charny

Source: CK correspondent