The defense will seek parole for Musaeva.

After the Chechen Supreme Court refused to satisfy the appeal against the sentence of Zarema Musaeva in the case of the disorganization of the colony-settlement, the defense decided to seek her release through the mechanism of parole.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the court in Chechnya sentenced Musaeva to three years and ten months in prison, finding her guilty of disorganizing the work of the colony-settlement. The Chechen Supreme Court upheld it. According to the investigation, in October 2024, during her transport from the hospital, Musaeva allegedly hit a FSIN officer and tore off his epaulet while she was in the car with him. She categorically denied her guilt, calling it a premeditated fabrication and revenge.

In the Committee Against Torture* (KPP*), a correspondent for "Caucasian Knot" was informed that Zarema Musaeva's defense will file for parole, but there are no specific dates yet.

Musaeva's health condition is stable. "This year there is not as much heat as there was last year, so the imprisonment is a bit easier to bear," noted a KPP* representative.

He pointed out that assistance is always important because a person with diabetes needs special nutrition and care. "In any case, thank you to everyone who donates for this assistance," said the KPP* representative.

He also indicated that human rights activists submitted a complaint on behalf of Zarema Musaeva to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention back in April of this year.

"This is the body that investigates cases of deprivation of liberty in violation of international norms. In her appeal, Zarema Musaeva stated that she is being punished for the actions of her sons, who criticize the leadership of Chechnya, and that the court hearings in her case are proceeding with violations, as was the case in March 2026. Due to the expedited consideration of the case, the lawyer had no opportunity to prepare for the questioning of witnesses and court debates. But there was no response, and no one knows when the consideration will take place. The Working Group has issued 17 opinions on complaints against Russia. But, unfortunately, no one has been released early after these decisions," summarized the KPP* representative.

All fabricated cases against Zarema are revenge by Kadyrov for the actions of her sons, stated another human rights activist, familiar with the situation in Chechnya, on condition of anonymity.

"I don't think Ramzan Kadyrov will agree to her exchange. It is clear that this whole story of persecuting Zarema is his direct order. Otherwise, he wouldn't be engaging in such revenge," he noted.

In his opinion, exchange is not the only option left for Musaeva's release.

Recall that on June 17, Zarema Musaeva's daughter, Aliya Yangulbaeva, published an open letter on the social network Instagram** addressed to Aishat Kadyrova, the eldest daughter of the head of Chechnya. In her appeal, Yangulbaeva asked Kadyrova to assist in the release of her mother, Zarema Musaeva. There was no response to this appeal from Aishat Kadyrova or Ramzan Kadyrov. Analysts interviewed by "Caucasian Knot" doubted that Aishat Kadyrova is capable of influencing her father Ramzan Kadyrov's position regarding the release of Yangulbaeva's mother – Zarema Musaeva. Aliya stated that the family and Zarema Musaeva herself hope for a prisoner exchange with the West.

Zarema Musaeva is the wife of former federal judge Saidi Yangulbaev. Chechen security forces took her away on January 20, 2022, from an apartment in Nizhny Novgorod. After that, Ramzan Kadyrov accused the Yangulbaev family of organizing a terrorist network and stated that they would have a place "in prison or underground." In July 2023, Musaeva was convicted in a criminal case of fraud and "using violence against a police officer." The Akhmat district court sentenced her to five and a half years in a colony, later, in September 2023, the Chechen Supreme Court reduced the sentence to five years in a colony-settlement. In March 2024, the Cassation Court in Pyatigorsk reduced Zarema Musaeva's sentence by three months – to four years and nine months, satisfying the prosecutor's request.

Information about the conflict between Kadyrov and the Yangulbaevs can be read in the reports of "Caucasian Knot" "How the Yangulbaevs became Kadyrov's enemies" and "Main points about the Kadyrovites' struggle with the Yangulbaevs".

* included in the register of foreign agents.

** the activities of the Meta company (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.