Ingush activist Bagaudin Khautiev demands to cancel the verdict

The prosecution has failed to provide any proof in the case of activists accused of organizing an extremist community and participating in the protest action in Magas, Bagaudin Khautiev has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since January 13, 2023, an appeal process is underway in the Stavropol Territory within the case of seven Ingush protest leaders, accused of creating an extremist community and sentenced to long prison terms. On April 27, the defence tried to disqualify the judges.

Khautiev told the court how he was persuaded to plead guilty in order to reduce his sentence. "I refused because I'm not going to slander myself," he said.

The court ruling should be declared illegal, Bagaudin Khautiev has stated.

"We are accused of creating an extremist community, and I, allegedly a participant, had persuaded young people to hold unsanctioned rallies … Provide at least one proof! But there's not a single one," Mr Khautiev has added.

According to his story, investigators have stated that he is a member of an extremist community, although it has not been proved that community members contacted by phone. "Not a single call has even been proved among the alleged community members," Khautiev has concluded.