02 November 2016, 02:08
Varvara Karaulova explains her correspondence in social networks about IS by her desire to maintain conversation with her fiancé
At the trial in the case against Varvara Karaulova, a student of the Moscow State University (MSU), the court has read out her correspondence in social networks. In the posts, one of the key themes was related to construction of the "Islamic State" (IS), recognized as a terrorist organization and banned in Russia by court. The defendant has claimed she did not understand the meaning of her words, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that from October 5 the Moscow District Military Court is considering the case of Varvara Karaulova (Alexandra Ivanova), a student of the Moscow State University (MSU), accused of attempting to participate in a terrorist organization in Syria.
On June 4, 2015, Varvara Karaulova, a student of the Moscow State University (MSU), was detained at the Turkish-Syrian border among other citizens of Russia, including natives of Chechnya and Dagestan, and citizens of Azerbaijan, who, according to the investigators, intended to join the "Islamic State". During the preliminary investigation, Alexandra Ivanova pleaded guilty; however, later she retracted her confession.
According to the correspondence materials, read out by Prosecutor Mikhail Reznichenko at the court session held on November 1, for 3.5 years Varvara Karaulova maintained correspondence with Airat Samatov, with the main topics related to Islam, namaz (prayer) and combat actions, in which the "Internet fiancé" of the defendant took part. Besides, according to the Prosecutor, extremist literature, recognized by the court as banned, was published on the page of Varvara Karaulova in social networks.
Varvara Karaulova herself has explained to Mikhail Reznichenko that "Airat Samatov had access to the page." The defendant has also stated that she "did not understand the meanings of the words 'to build the 'Islamic State' (recognized in Russia as a terrorist organization, which activities are banned by a court's decision)."
Varvara Karaulova has explained that she communicated with Airat Samatov on topics "of namaz (prayer), conversion to Islam, and construction of the IS only with the purpose of maintaining a conversation."
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.
Author: Yulia Buslavskaya Source: CK correspondent
