Mothers of Dagestanis killed in Chechnya treat their struggle for justice as principle

The decision of the Russia's Supreme Court (SC), which has refused to acquit the eight residents of Dagestan killed in Chechnya in 2016, was expected for the casualties' mothers, but they have declared their commitment to continue their fight for justice. However, neither the mothers, nor human rights defenders expect a fair decision from the Russian judiciary.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Russia's SC had upheld the verdict of the residents of Dagestan killed in 2016; the criminal case against them was dropped. In March 2020, the Chechen SC found the casualties guilty of an attempt on lives of law enforcers and illegal arms trafficking, but stopped the criminal case against them due to their deaths. On January 10, 2023, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) awarded a total of EUR 609,000 in compensation to 27 casualties' relatives. On July 5, 2023, it became known that the appeal court refused to relatives to review the case, while ignoring the ECtHR's decision.

The decision of the Russia's SC, which has treated the guilt of the killed residents of Dagestan as proven, will not be changed, Yulia Antonova, an advocate, believes.

Svetlana Gannushkina*, a human rights defender, has noted that she knows many similar stories where innocent people had fallen victim to law enforcers.

According to Umraikhan, Islam Magomedov's mother, some relatives still believe that justice can be achieved.

Aida, Gashim Uzdanov's mother, has noted that no one gives up. "Our struggle will continue ... We hope the perpetrators will be punished," she has added.

In her turn, Burliyat, Pakhrudin Makhaev's mother, is sure that there is no sense in challenging the decision within the framework of the Russian justice.

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