ECtHR states violation of Dagestani journalist Abdulmumin Gadjiev’s rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has awarded compensation in the amount of EUR 6000 to Abdulmumin Gadjiev, a Dagestani journalist, for his rights violations after his detention.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in June 2019, Abdulmumin Gadjiev, one of the editors of the Dagestani outlet "Chernovik", Abubakar Rizvanov, the head of the "Ansar" Charity Fund, and Kemal Tambiev, an entrepreneur, were arrested on charges of financing terrorism. On September 12, 2023, the court sentenced Gadjiev to 17 years, Rizvanov to 18 years, and Tambiev to 17.5 years of freedom deprivation. On November 1, 2024, the appellate court reduced the sentences of all the three convicts by two months.

The ECtHR has awarded compensation to Gadjiev, treating the excessive duration of his pre-trial custody as a violation. The ECtHR has also ruled that Gadjiev's right to the freedom of expression was violated.

The European Court has concluded that Gadjiev had been convicted for posting an interview with a person who helped Syrian refugees and allegedly took part in the activities of the “Islamic State” (IS)*.

*On December 29, 2014, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation recognized the organization "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL or IS) as a terrorist international organization and banned its activities in Russia.