Defence claims fabrication of case against Dagestani resident through use of torture

A court in Dagestan began considering a criminal case against Murad Mirzakhanov, a resident of Makhachkala, accused of keeping weapons and drugs. His defence and relatives assert that the illegal objects found on him had been planted; and psychological and physical violence was used against Mirzakhanov, as a result of which he has incriminated himself.

Murad Mirzakhanov was detained in Kaspiysk on November 24, 2020. During a personal search, a powder was found in his pocket – a narcotic substance on an especially large quantity – and a pistol, which were confiscated.

During interrogation, Mirzakhanov said that he had found a pistol and the powder in the street shortly before, and on November 24, he was going to "shoot a pistol and try a drug." Later, during interrogation, Mirzakhanov refused to testify.

"Murad Mirzakhanov has incriminated himself under psychological and physical pressure. After his arrest, he was simply given to sign some ready-made testimonies," his advocate, Israfil Gadadov, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

On December 2, 2020, when the advocate met his client, he found traces of electric shock on his hands and face.

"The accusation is absurd. Murad received two higher educations. The investigator failed to establish that he had once used drugs; he wasn't charged with selling drugs," the advocate has stated.