Witness reports increase in popularity of publicist Rizvan Ibragimov's books after his public apologies

At trial in the Rizvan Ibragimov's case, the court has pronounced a decision to oblige a resident of Chechnya, after whose complaint the case was instituted, to appear in the courtroom. According to a bookshop saleswoman questioned at trial, the sales of the Rizvan Ibragimov's books have increased significantly after a TV show, in which the publicist was accused of replicating myths about the origin of the Chechen people.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2016, the court in Chechnya recognized Rizvan Ibragimov's books as extremist. The publicist himself claimed that in April 2016, he was kidnapped by law enforcers and then tortured with electric current. He called the meeting with Ramzan Kadrov a "public humiliation."

According to the bookshop saleswoman, the sales of the Rizvan Ibragimov's books increased significantly after the local TV Channel showed a story in which he and publicist Didiev brought public apologies.

Meanwhile, Zaira Paizulaeva, who filed a complaint to the Chechen Minister of Internal Affairs with a request to check the Rizvan Ibragimov's books, did not appear in court for the third time.

On his Facebook page, the publicist has also reported that the prosecution was enhanced during the trial.

According to a member of a local NGO, Zaira Paizulaeva works as an officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). "She is most likely acting by orders of her direct bosses," said the source.

Residents of Chechnya questioned by the "Caucasian Knot" do not understand why Rizvan Ibragimov was accused of extremism. "I have read some of his books, and I do not find in them anything extremist towards other nations," noted Akhyad, a resident of Grozny.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.