18:42, 20 September 2018

Prosecutors demand to hold trial in Oyub Titiev's case behind closed doors

Oyub Titiev in the court. Photo by Patimat Makhmudova for the "Caucasian Knot"

Oyub Titiev, the head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" office in Grozny, always adhered to a healthy lifestyle, his cousin reported at trial. Public prosecutor requested the court to continue questioning witnesses behind closed doors.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Shali Court considers Oyub Titiev's case since July 19. On September 6, prosecution witnesses reported about the defendant's healthy lifestyle and ruled out the possibility of drug use by Oyub Titiev. On September 13, on the contrary, the key prosecution witness stated that he had seen Oyub Titiev smoking anasha. The defence called his testimony absurd.

Since January 11, Oyub Titiev is being kept under arrest on the charge of marijuana possession. According to the rights defender, drugs were planted to him.

Rizvan Titiev, a cousin of the defendant, reported that the head of the HRC "Memorial" office in Grozny adhered to a healthy lifestyle, never smoked, did not drink alcoholic beverages, and visited a gym every two days. All family members of Oyub Titiev adhere to a healthy lifestyle.

Then public prosecutor Djabrail Akhmadov filed a motion to hold the trial behind closed doors, since law enforcers would be questioned in the court. The defence objected.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on September 20, 2018 at 01:09 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Patimat Makhmudova

Source: CK correspondent