19:07, 3 November 2023

ECtHR recognizes violation of rights of Chechen journalist Zhalaudi Geriev

Zhalaudi Geriev in the courtroom. Photo by Patimat Makhmudova for the "Caucasian Knot"

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has found the treatment of Zhalaudi Geriev during the trial at the Shali District Court to be degrading and awarded him compensation of EUR 7500, his advocate Nadezhda Ermolaeva has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 5, 2016, Zhalaudi (Zhalavdi) Geriev, a Chechen journalist, who worked as a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, was sentenced to three years in colony on charges of drug possession. The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"* announced him to be a political prisoner. Geriev was back at large in 2019.

Prior to his arrest, Geriev was kidnapped by armed men on his way to the airport. They took away his phones and backpack, in which later narcotic drugs were found. The armed men took the journalist to the forest and interrogated him by putting a bag over his head.

"The ECtHR has found a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in connection with his degrading treatment during the consideration of his criminal case by the Shali District Court of Chechnya, as he was kept in a cage during the trial," Nadezhda Ermolaeva, Zhalaudi Geriev's advocate, has stated.

*On December 29, 2021, by the decision of the Moscow City Court, the Russian legal entities of the "International Memorial" and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" were liquidated. Activists of the organizations have reported that both organizations will continue their work without forming legal entities.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 2, 2023 at 11:16 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Naim Suleimanov

Source: СK correspondent