Trial of Dagestani journalist, Abdulmumin Gadjiev creates threat of closing "Chernovik"

Colleagues of the journalist, Abdulmumin Gadjiev, have no hope of a fair verdict and fear the closure of the "Chernovik" (Draft) weekly after the trial, the "Novaya Gazeta" has found out. Residents of Dagestan are afraid to go out to actions in defence of Gadjiev, but his support in social networks is growing, his wife has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that every week pickets are held in Makhachkala in support of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, a "Chernovik" journalist. According to investigators, Gadjiev, acting jointly with Abubakar Rizvanov, the head of the "Ansar" charity fund, and Kemal Tambiev, raised 68 million roubles and 200,000 US dollars for terrorists under the pretext of helping Muslims.

Gadjiev's colleagues hope that the punishment will be minimal – five or six years in prison.

Actions in support of the journalist are held only by his colleagues, because residents of Dagestan are afraid to support him, Magomed Magomedov, the editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik", has stated. He is sure that the aim of Gadjiev's criminal prosecution is to close the edition.

Support for Gadjiev in social networks is growing, said his wife, Dana Sakieva. She is concerned about the fate of their sons in Dagestan and does not exclude that their family will leave the republic after Gadjiev's release.