Colleagues of Dagestani journalist Gadjiev assess his chances for acquittal

There are some chances for the acquittal of Dagestani journalist Abdulmumin Gadjiev, as well as of Kemal Tambiev and Abubakar Rizvanov, accused of financing terrorism, although the share of acquittals under terrorist articles is extremely small, Gadjiev's colleagues have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that colleagues of Abdulmumin Gadjiev, the arrested editor of the "Chernovik" weekly outlet, treat his criminal case as political persecution and regularly hold solo pickets in his support in Makhachkala.

According to Magomed Magomedov, a deputy editor-in-chief of the “Chernovik”, the verdict will be handed down by the end of September. Gadjiev's colleagues will collectively decide whether to continue their weekly solo pickets after the verdict or not, Mr Magomedov has explained, adding that the editorial board of the “Chernovik” is not yet able to resume the issuance of the printed version of the outlet, and plan to focus on the development of its website.

Given the fact that both the defence and the prosecution can appeal against the verdict, the final decision will be delayed until next year, one of Gadjiev's colleague believes. In his opinion, the chance for an acquittal is very small, but it exists.

Judges must understand the inconsistency of the accusation and the fact that "the case is completely fabricated, and there are no proofs therein," the colleague has noted.