In publicist Rizvan Ibragimov's case, witness remembers no claims against his books

In the case against Rizvan Ibragimov, accused of extremism, the court has questioned three witnesses, including a woman from Chechnya, after whose complaint the very criminal case was instituted. The witness has said she did not remember why and how she filed her complaint. The defence has asked to exclude her testimony from the evidence materials, but the judge refused to do that.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in July 2016, in Chechnya, the court found books written by Rizvan Ibragimov as extremist. The publicist claimed that he was kidnapped by law enforcers in April 2016 and then tortured with electric current.

At a court hearing held on June 5, Zaira Paizulaeva referred to her disease and claimed that she did not remember anything. She also admitted that she did not file her complaint with the purpose of seeking institution of criminal proceedings against Rizvan Ibragimov. The woman said that she just did not like those books.

Besides, the court also listened to Nadirsolta Elsunkaev, the director of the NGO "Centre for Humanitarian Studies". He said that he had read all the Rizvan Ibragimov's books and had not found in them any calls to incite hatred against any nationality.

Rizvan Ibragimov associates the criminal proceedings against him with a top-ranking police officer who "promised Ramzan Kadyrov" that the Rizvan Ibragimov's books would be recognized extremist.

According to supporters of Rizvan Ibragimov, the trial in Chechnya is closely monitored by public activists, although local media do not show any interest in its coverage.

The Rizvan Ibragimov's supporters also point out to the fact that Chechnya is creating conditions for full control, including of historical science, by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.