19:40, 27 December 2016

In his last plea, Geriev asks to acquit him

Zhalaudi Geriev. Photo by Patimat Makhmudova for the "Caucasian Knot"

The defence of Zhalaudi Geriev, a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot", and the defendant himself have called on the Chechen Supreme Court (SC) to cancel the verdict passed by the first-instance Shali District Court. The prosecutor asked to uphold this verdict.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the complaint against the verdict to Geriev, who was sentenced in September to three years in prison on charges of possessing marijuana, is considered by the Chechnya's SC since November 15. Geriev refuses to plead guilty and insists that the case against him had been falsified. The court has forbidden to video the today's session.

The "Caucasian Knot" treats the case against Zhalaudi Geriev as fabricated, and the accusations of drug dealing – as completely far-fetched.

Today, the defence of Geriev has treated the charges against him as groundless and false. During the debates, his advocate Alaudi Musaev has enumerated numerous violation made in the course of investigating the case. He has treated all the actions of the prosecution and investigators as "legal rudeness."

Zhalaudi Geriev has asked, together with his advocates, the court to acquit him.

The SC of Chechnya has appointed the announcement of its verdict for December 28.

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

Source: CK correspondent