17:10, 11 July 2023

Murder of Akhmednabiev, "Caucasian Knot" journalist, remains unsolved for 10 years

Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev at a press conference dedicated to the issue of journalists' security. Makhachkala, January 14, 2013. Photo by Svetlana Svistunova for the "Caucasian Knot"

For 10 years since the assassination of Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, investigators have failed to name either the customer or the perpetrator of the murder.

Let us remind you that Akhmednabi Akhmednabiev was shot dead in the village of Semender in Dagestan. He had worked as a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent for more than seven years, covering sensitive topics. Since 2006, he also worked for the Dagestani weekly "Novoye Delo" (New Cause).

In September 2009, Akhmednabiev's name appeared in leaflets in which anonymous authors promised to avenge policemen and civilians. In May 2012, Akhmednabiev reported received threats. On January 11, 2013, unidentified persons shot at Akhmednabiev, but he was not injured. The shooters were not identified.

The investigation into the case was suspended at least eight times. In 2016, Tumas Misakyan, an advocate, filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) about the inefficient investigation of the crime. In Russia, all the mechanisms for defending the suffered party's rights had been exhausted, the advocate noted.

In the Akhmednabiev's case the suffered party is his son. In his complaint, the advocate stated the violation of two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) – on the right to life and the freedom of expression. The state had failed to ensure the journalist's safety after the received threats and attempts on his life; and when Akhmednabiev was shot dead, they failed to provide a timely and thorough inquiry into the murder, the complaint has specified.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 9, 2023 at 10:55 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot