Relatives of people convicted in case on pogrom at Makhachkala airport treat verdict as severe

A court pronounced severe verdict in a criminal case on the pogrom at an airport in Makhachkala without evidence of the defendants’ guilt. Advocates and relatives of the convicts announced the intention to file an appeal against the verdict.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the Armavir City Court twice postponed the consideration of the case on riots at the Makhachkala airport against five defendants, including Anvarbek Ataev, Islam Ibragimov, Magomed Omaraskhabov, Rabadan Radjabov, and Salik Ramazanov. As a result, they were sentenced to punishment ranging from six years and four months to nine years of imprisonment.

Laila Ubaidulaeva, an advocate of Magomed Omaraskhabov, called the sentence extremely severe and unlawful.

“He didn’t beat anyone, didn’t break or smash anything ... What for did the court sentence him to six years of imprisonment? He was sentenced, as he worked as a taxi driver, took his clients to the airport, then he felt curiosity and just stood there, watching what was happening. This is complete lawlessness,” a mother of Salik Ramazanov said.

Shamil Khadulaev, the chair of the Public Monitoring Commission (PMC) of Dagestan, also suggests that the sentence has been too severe. Shamil Khadulaev believes that there is little chance of any changes in the court’s decision.

“The experience shows that in such cases, the terms of imprisonment are hardly reduced ... By a maximum of six months,” the chair of the Dagestani PMC of noted.