Arrests of Ingush protest leaders extended

A court in the Stavropol Territory has extended, until June 25, the custody of the five activists, who took part in protests in the city of Magas, including Musa Malsagov, Akhmed Barakhoev and Malsag Uzhakhov, accused of creating an extremist community.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the above three activists plus Barakh Chemurziev and Ismail Nalgiev are accused of using violence that was dangerous to the life or health of state officials. Messrs Malsagov, Barakhoev and Uzhakhov are also charged with creating an extremist community, while Chemurziev and Nalgiev – with taking part in this community.

On April 3, the Stavropol Territorial Court extended the custody of Malsag Uzhakhov, Akhmed Barakhoev, Barakh Chemurziev and Musa Malsagov until June 25, 2020, Magomed Abubakarov, an advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Barakhoev's relatives hoped that the court would release him from custody in connection with the coronavirus spread, his sister, Leyla Barakhoeva, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Now, in the country and around the world, the situation is alarming due to coronavirus. We had hoped that due to the old age and chronic diseases, they would release at least Akhmed Barakhoev and Malsag Uzhakhov. But they were also left behind bars," she said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 3, 2020 at 09:35 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.