Convicted Dagestani woman claims self-incrimination under pressure from law enforcers

In its complaint, the defence claimed that the police forced Khava Gadjimuradova, a resident of Dagestan, to sign a confession of her intention to leave for Syria. The Supreme Court (SC) of Russia recognized the court’s decision, which sentenced the young woman to five years of imprisonment, to be legal.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the Southern District Military Court found two residents of Dagestan, Kh. Gadjimuradova and A. Satiraeva, guilty of preparing to participate in the “Islamic State”* and sentenced Gadjimuradova to five years and Satiraeva – to by four years and six months of imprisonment. According to the prosecutors’ version, the women planned to join the terrorist organization by leaving for Syria, but they were detained in Derbent in 2021.

The court of appeal upheld the sentence of Khava Gadjimuradova, and she lodged an appeal against the decision with the Supreme Court (SC) of Russia.

The defence has stated the materials of the criminal case contain no evidence that Khava Gadjimuradova was preparing to join an illegal armed formation (IAF) and was in contact with members of an illegal armed formation (IAF) or the “Islamic State”*. In court, Khava Gadjimuradova stated that she planned to leave for Turkey to avoid marriage, but under the influence of her family, she abandoned her plans and went home. On her way back, Khava Gadjimuradova was detained by the police. Besides, witnesses did not confirm that she planned to leave for Syria. The defence specifically noted that Khava Gadjimuradova was forced to sign a confession.

The court dismissed the defence’s arguments and recognized the verdict as lawful.

*On December 29, 2014, the Supreme Court (SC) of the Russian Federation recognized the organization “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL or IS) as a terrorist international organization and banned its activities in Russia.