Geriev’s case accepted to consideration by Presidium of Chechen SC

A cassation complaint against the court verdicts on the case of Zhalaudi Geriev, a journalist of the "Caucasian Knot", has been sent to the Presidium of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Chechen Republic. The violations committed by the first-instance and appeal courts had affected the outcome of the case, says the statement of the SC.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 5, 2016, the Shali District Court of Chechnya sentenced Zhalaudi Geriev to three years in colony on charges of possessing marijuana, and on December 28, 2016, the SC upheld the sentence.

The first-instance and appeal courts failed to check Geriev’s arguments, who stated application of torture to him during the preliminary investigation, because of which he was forced to incriminate himself, says the statement.

Thus, the judge has found the arguments of the cassation complaint compelling and subject for consideration by the court of cassation, said Alaudi Musaev, a Geriev’s advocate.

The cancellation of the appeal statement will automatically lead to a change in Geriev’s procedural status – from a convict back to the defendant, said the advocate.

The cassation consideration is scheduled for April 5.

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