Wife of Dagestani journalist, Abdulmumin Gadjiev, loses hope for his acquittal

After the arrest of the Dagestani journalist, Abdulmumin Gadjiev, his family was sure that it was some misunderstanding; but now, four years later, he is still under arrest, his wife, Dana Sakieva, has stated. According to her story, she has no hope for an acquittal, but she believes that her husband will receive a minimum prison term.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that colleagues of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, the arrested editor of the "Chernovik" (Draft) outlet, treat his criminal case as political persecution and hold weekly solo pickets in his support in Makhachkala. On September 4, such pickets were held by Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of the "Chernovik", and Idris Yusupov, a journalist for the "Novoye Delo" (New Cause) outlet.

Among the passers-by, there were not only local residents, but also tourists who entered into a dialogue with Magomedov. One passer-by introduced himself as a former deputy head of a SIZO (pre-trial prison). "He told how he was once planted with cartridges; and he had also experienced the power of the law enforcement system," Mr Magomedov has explained.

Since the start of 2023, Gadjiev's family has been waiting for the termination of the trial, his wife, Dana Sakieva, has noted. She recalled that earlier this year, there were a minimum number of witnesses for interrogation; and it seemed that "the verdict would be announced soon," but court sessions are still ongoing.

The journalist's wife doubts that a "complete acquittal" will be issued. She has noted that she used to believe that if a person had done nothing illegal, he/she cannot put into jail, but in the current circumstances, she hopes that her husband will be able to "get off with something minimal."