HRW speaks in support of journalist Geriev
Russian authorities should ensure an immediate revision of the case of Zhalaudi Geriev, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, who was convicted in Chechnya, with account of his statements about his kidnapping and ill-treatment, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has stated.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 5 Geriev was sentenced by the Shali District Court of Chechnya to three years in prison on charges of drug possession.
Geriev himself said that he had given his testimony during the preliminary investigation under pressure.
The HRW asserts that Geriev was punished for his journalistic activities.
According to Tatiana Lokshina, the HRW's programme director for Russia, she hopes that the higher court will remedy the situation.
The HRW also recalled that a week before the verdict on Geriev's case it published a report "Walking on minefield: Chechen authorities against dissidents", which described the ways the authorities punished and publicly humiliated the people, who spoke out negatively about local authorities.
Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.