At trial, defence witnesses confirm Oyub Titiev's healthy lifestyle

On October 9, in the case against Oyub Titiev, the head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" office in Grozny, the court questioned two policemen and then proceeded to question witnesses for the defence. Two defence witnesses testified in favour of the defendant.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 27, the court decided to continue the hearing in the Oyub Titiev's case in an open mode, but on the same day closed the questioning of the rear chief of the Kurchaloi ROVD (District Interior Division) and the field investigator, who took Oyub Titiev to a narcological clinic for examination. Oyub Titiev himself stated that the key witnesses questioned behind closed doors gave false testimonies.

On October 9, the court has first questioned behind closed doors a field investigator of the Kurchaloi ROVD (District Interior Division). After that, the trial was continued in an open mode, and the court questioned Magomed Danchaev, an inspector of the Grozny road-and-patrol service (known as DPS). On October 8, he was unable to testify because of poor health.

The witness answered questions reluctantly and spoke indistinctly, and it seemed that he did not always understand what he was being asked about: the judge often had to explain the essence of the questions to him, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

It is very difficult to restore a detailed picture of the Oyub Titiev's detention, since the prosecution witnesses speak little of the facts at the trial, noted Marina Dubrovina, an advocate of the rights defender.

"The testimony of Magomed Danchaev, as well as the testimonies given by other prosecution witnesses, sounded very strange. The man didn't see anything, didn't know anything, didn't hear, and he was not able to report any details. We use efforts of many people and witnesses and try to restore a detailed picture of what had happened to Oyub Titiev. However, it is very difficult to restore the detailed picture, since the witnesses, starting with the investigator, respond 'I don't know' or 'I don't remember.' That sounds quite strange," Marina Dubrovina told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The questioned defence witnesses, a neighbour and a fellow villager of Oyub Titiev, told the court that they had seen him in the morning on the day of his detention.

Ali Aliev and Sheikhmagomed Mezhiev said that they met Oyub Titiev when he left home for work. Both witnesses saw that he had a traumatic pistol with him (the pistol disappeared from the car along with a car video recorder).

The witnesses also said that they could characterize Oyub Titiev only from the best side. They confirmed that he never drank alcoholic beverages, did not smoke, and always led a healthy lifestyle.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on October 9, 2018 at 08:44 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.