In Dagestan, activist Eduard Ataev sentenced to real freedom deprivation

The Khasavyurt District Court has found Eduard Ataev, a former coordinator of Navalny's* office in Makhachkala, guilty of possession of an explosive device and narcotic drugs. He was sentenced to six years and five months in a penal colony. This was reported by the "Kavkaz.Realii"** project with reference to Israfil Gadadov, an advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Eduard Ataev was arrested on charges of possessing an explosive device and narcotic drugs. He claims that the grenade and drugs had been planted on him, and links his prosecution with his civic and political position and countering corruption schemes.

The "Caucasian Knot" has also reported that Eduard Ataev used to hold solo pickets in Makhachkala with calls to stop corruption in the Khasavyurt District. On January 25, 2022, he was detained at a protest action against extraction of natural resources in the village of Endirei.

*Navalny's offices are recognized as extremist organizations and banned in Russia. Alexei Navalny is a founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (known as FBK), an NCO that is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of NCOs performing functions of a foreign agent. The NCO is also recognized by a court as extremist and banned in the territory of Russia.

**Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.