Defence of Ingush activist Pogorov criticizes investigators

The investigation into a case against Akhmed Pogorov, the co-chair of the World Congress of the Ingush People, has been unjustifiably prolonged, and the arguments presented by investigators in favour of the activist’s arrest are not grounded, advocate Magomed Gagiev claims. The court extended the arrest of Akhmed Pogorov for three months.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Akhmed Pogorov was detained on February 26. In May, the Supreme Court (SC) of Kabardino-Balkaria placed him under house arrest. At home, Akhmed Pogorov felt bad, and he was hospitalized. However, despite the protests of doctors, law enforcers took the defendant away from the hospital for investigative measures. According to the defence, after the second arrest, the health state of Akhmed Pogorov deteriorated, and he does not get the necessary medical treatment at a SIZO (pre-trial prison).

The court extended Akhmed Pogorov’s arrest until December 25, the “OVD-Info” reported with reference to the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Memorial”*.

Advocate Magomed Gagiev said that he had presented the Order of Courage and other awards of Akhmed Pogorov to the court, together with positive characteristics of his client. The advocate also reminded the court that when Akhmed Pogorov was released under house arrest in May, he did not hide from investigators and observed all the restrictions imposed by the court. According to Magomed Gagiev, the above facts refute all the investigators’ arguments about an alleged intention of Akhmed Pogorov to flee.

The advocate also pointed to the poor health of his client.

* The organization is included by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) of Russia in the register of foreign agents.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 22, 2021 at 03:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.