11:40, 24 May 2019

Court extends arrest of five Ingush activists

Bagaudin Khautiev. Screenshot from video posted by Buro Magas at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD7P3tYkC4E

The Nalchik City Court has ruled to extend by four months the arrest of Bagaudin Khautiev and four other protesters in Magas, the lawyer, Kaloi Akhilgov, has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 11, Bagaudin Khautiev was the first detainee after the March rally in Magas, who was accused under the case of using violence against law enforcers.

On March 27, rally participants continued their protest action in Magas without a sanction from the authorities. They stayed in a square in Magas for the night. On the other day, clashes occurred between the protesters and the law enforcers. According to the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation (ICRF), ten law enforcers were injured.

The arrest of Bagaudin Khautiev, one of protest leaders, and the activists – Azhigov, Ozkanov, Mekiev and Bakiev – has been extended until September 25, Mr Akhilgov has stated.

"I can't understand why the court has extended the arrest for exactly four months; obviously, this period was requested by investigators," Kaloi Akhilgov has added.

According to his story, the arrest of all the five detainees was to expire in early June, the "MBKh Media" has reported.

The court session that has extended the arrest of five activists was held on May 22, says the post by Bagaudin Khautiev on his Facebook page.

"Wow, they've extended by four months right away! Usually, they make a two-month extension," Sultan Buzurtanov, a social network user, has commented.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 23, 2019 at 11:50 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.