Akhmed Pogorov's arrest extended by two months

The Yessentuki City Court has extended the custody of Akhmed Pogorov, a co-chairman of the World Congress of the Ingush People, until February 25, 2022. His defence has treated the ruling as unjustified and will appeal against it.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Pogorov was detained on February 26, 2021, and charged with participation in an extremist community. In late May, the Supreme Court (SC) of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) ruled to transfer him from the SIZO (pre-trial prison) to house arrest. However, on May 26, the Yessentuki City Court decided to place Pogorov back into custody, and then twice extended his detention by three months each. According to the defence, after the second arrest, the health state of Akhmed Pogorov deteriorated, and he does not get the necessary medical treatment at a SIZO (pre-trial prison).

On December 24, the Yessentuki City Court extended Akhmed Pogorov's detention at the SIZO until February 25, 2022, said Magomed Gagiev, one of his advocates.

"There are absolutely no proofs, only unjustified allegations that my client can hide," the "Fortanga" Instagram public of Ingush activists has quoted Gagiev's words.

According to the advocate, the defence has claimed an artificial protraction of investigation, and that Pogorov's long stay in custody resulted in deterioration of his health condition. An appeal complaint will be filed against the court ruling, since the defence treats it as unjustified and unmotivated, Magomed Gagiev has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 25, 2021 at 06:28 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.