Chechen refugee placed in deportation centre in Switzerland

Magomed Gelagaev, a 25-year-old native of Chechnya, who fled from mobilization, was placed in a deportation centre in Switzerland, where he had arrived to ask for asylum.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on July 14, it became known that the authorities of Switzerland considered Ali Bataev’s stay in the country illegal and intended to deport him to Russia. Ali Bataev went on a hunger strike. He claimed that he would be persecuted by the authorities in Chechnya. On July 24, Chechen migrants in Europe protested against the deportation of Ali Bataev.

The authorities of Switzerland placed Magomed Gelagaev in a psychiatric dispensary, and after human rights defenders intervened in the situation, he was transferred to a deportation centre, reported Lachin Mamishov, an Ichkerian native, living in Europe.

“About a month ago, Magomed was placed in a psychiatric hospital, as after the start [of the special military operation in Ukraine] and mobilization, he had panic attacks ... and he showed panic at the sight of people in uniform,” the “Kavkaz.Realii”* quotes Lachin Mamishov as saying.

Chechen activists in Switzerland and the human rights organization “European House of Peace” intervened in the situation. Magomed Gelagaev was released from the psychiatric hospital, and two days later, he was placed in the deportation centre where Ali Bataev is already being held, Lachin Mamishov notes.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.