Human rights defenders declare need for hospitalization of Ali Bataev

The condition of Ali Bataev, a native of Chechnya, who continues his hunger strike in a deportation centre in Switzerland with the demand not to be deported to Russia, has deteriorated sharply, but he has not succeeded in seeking hospitalization, report members of the “European Peace House” human rights organization.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on July 14, it became known that the authorities of Switzerland considered the stay in the country of Ali Bataev, who arrived from Ukraine, to be illegal, and intend to deport him to Russia. Ali Bataev went on a hunger strike, as he believes that he will be persecuted by the Chechen authorities. On July 21 in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, and on July 24 in Germany and Sweden, activists held actions to protest against the deportation of Ali Bataev to Russia.

The health state of Ali Bataev has deteriorated sharply, the “Kavkaz.Realii”* reports with reference to Zainap Gashaeva and Lachin Mamishov, members of the “European House of Peace” human rights organization.

“Ali Bataev can barely walk and talk. He asks for hospitalization and a full medical examination, but with no result,” Lachin Mamishov is quoted as saying.

Ali Bataev has been continuing his hunger strike for the 44th day, but he is very weak, follows from the video posted on the “Marka Film Production” YouTube channel. According to Zainap Gashaeva, human rights defenders have information that it is planned to send Chechen natives in the deportation prison to Russia in August. On the above occasion, a protest action is scheduled for August 2.

Lachin Mamishov reported on Facebook** that a protest action against the deportation of Chechen natives would take place in front of the Swiss migration agency.

The “Caucasian Knot” has also reported that Magomed Gelagaev, a 25-year-old native of Chechnya, who fled from mobilization, was placed in a deportation centre in Switzerland, where he arrived to ask for asylum.

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

**On March 21, 2022, the Tverskoi Court of Moscow banned the activities in Russia of the Meta Company, owning the Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, in connection with extremist activities.