Number of convicts for protests in Makhachkala reaches 148

At least 148 people have been found guilty of violating the procedure for holding public events during the anti-mobilization actions; 102 cases were returned to the police, says the website of the Sovietsky District Court of Makhachkala.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 25 and 26, large-scale protest actions against mobilization were held in Makhachkala, which ended in mass detentions. Human rights defenders reported about dozens of criminal cases initiated following the protests. Nadezhda Borodkina, an advocate, has stated that some rally participants were tortured. By October 3, the court had issued rulings to administratively punish 104 protesters.

By October 8, punishments had been awarded on 148 administrative cases; and 102 cases were returned to the Sovetsky ROVD (District Interior Division) of Makhachkala due to procedural violations; one case was dismissed; and another one was transferred to another jurisdiction.

Let us remind you that on September 28, Sergey Melikov, the head of Dagestan, stated that the events in Makhachkala could not be treated as protests, since "there were no slogans," while the footage showing the use of force by police at dispersing protesters were staged.