“Memorial”* recognizes six Muslims from Dagestan as political prisoners

The evidence proving the involvement in the preparation of a terror act in Odintsovo of Dagestani natives Vagid and Yusuf Guseikhanov, Azim Ismailov, Semed Nurmagomedov, and Asret and Ildarkhan Rizakhanov is doubtful, and the case is based on the testimony of secret witnesses, states the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Memorial”*. The human rights defenders call for a review of the decision of the court, which sentenced the convicts to 11 to 14 years of imprisonment.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 10, 2016, the Moscow District Military Court recognized six natives of Dagestan guilty of plotting a terror act in Odintsovo during the Victory Day celebrations in 2014.

The HRC “Memorial”* believes that Vagid and Yusuf Guseikhanov, Azim Ismailov, Semed Nurmagomedov, and Asret and Ildarkhan Rizakhanov are political prisoners convicted within a campaign to persecute Muslims under the pretext of combating terrorism.

Temporarily unemployed Vagid Guseikhanov, crane operator Yusuf Guseikhanov, driver Azim Ismailov, sellers Semed Nurmagomedov and Asret Rizakhanov lived in Odintsovo. Rizakhanov worked as a driver in Makhachkala and came to look for a doctor for his sick son.

Five convicts continue to serve their sentences, while Rizakhanov died in February 2021.

According to the human rights defenders, there are signs that the evidence in the case had been falsified. So, the main material evidence – an explosive device – was discovered during an inspection of the scene of the incident conducted with violations.

*The organization has been put by the Russian Ministry of Justice on the register of NCOs performing the functions of a foreign agent. On December 29, the Moscow City Court pronounced the decision to liquidate the organization.