Human rights defenders concerned about Gadaev’s rejection of second advocate

Magomed Gadaev, a native of Chechnya, who was deported from France, rejected the services of Alexander Nemov, the second private advocate. Magomed Gadaev was forced to deprive himself of the right to defence, human rights defenders suggested.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on April 9, 37-year-old Magomed Gadaev was deported from France to Russia despite his protest. On April 11, in Novy Urengoi, the police handed over Magomed Gadaev to Chechen law enforcers, who took him to Chechnya in connection with a criminal case on possession of firearms. On April 14, Magomed Gadaev rejected the services of advocate Semyon Tsvetkov, provided to him by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Memorial”*.

Today, it has become known that Magomed Gadaev rejected the services of Alexander Nemov, another advocate, who was hired by Magomed Gadaev’s wife Maret, living in France, the HRC “Memorial”* reports. The human rights defenders express their concern about the information that Magomed Gadaev had rejected the services of the second advocate, and they call on the Russian authorities to ensure that the Magomed Gadaev’s right to defence is respected.

Magomed Gadaev rejected the advocate, while being under pressure, believes Alexander Cherkasov, the chairman of the Council of the HRC “Memorial”.

“The Magomed Gadaev’s case is far from the first such case: both earlier and now we face the situations when in Chechnya, detainees or arrestees suddenly refuse the help of advocates independent of the authorities and law enforcement bodies. It is unlikely that the rejection of an advocate is an accident. The refusal is unlikely voluntary,” said Alexander Cherkasov as quoted in the today’s post on the website of the HRC “Memorial”*.

* the HRC "Memorial" is recognized in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 27, 2021 at 06:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.