Native of Chechnya denied judge challenge in case of justifying terrorism

The defence of Ibragim Khachukaev, a native of Chechnya, accused of justifying terrorism, has sought to mitigate the measure of his freedom restraint and challenged the judge, but the Supreme Court (SC) of Chechnya has upheld the decision to extend Khachukaev's arrest and found no grounds for challenging the judge.

Umar Chapanov, Ibragim's advocate, has claimed gross violations in his client's criminal case, the "Kavkaz.Realii"* project has reported. The detention protocol states that the defendant was caught after committing the crime, although Khachukaev is charged with an Internet publication posted in April 2020, that is, almost three years before the initiation of a criminal case and detention.

However, the Chechen SC has indicated that there were no grounds for challenging the judge. Besides, in 2021, Khachukaev was sentenced to a year in colony for hitting a policeman.

The advocate has also asked to change the measure of his client's freedom restraint to house arrest, since he does not intend to hide from the investigating authorities. However, the SC has upheld the court ruling of January 27, 2023, on Khachukaev's arrest.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that according to the Russian General Prosecutor's Office (GPO), in January-October 2022, most terrorist crimes were registered in Dagestan and Moscow. The third and fourth places in the rating were taken by Chechnya and Ingushetia.

In Chechnya and the Krasnodar Territory, often the people arrested on administrative cases are accused of grave crimes. After a series of arrests, law enforcers initiate cases under "terrorist" articles, the "Novaya Gazeta Europe" has pointed out after analyzing the data of the courts.