Chechen resident returning from Moscow forced to sign confession in "Syria" case
Imam Arsanov, a 28-year-old native of Chechnya, was detained at Grozny Airport upon his return from Moscow and has been held for over two months at the base of the Akhmat Kadyrov Special Purpose Patrol-Guard Police Regiment. This was reported by the Chechen movement NIYSO and a source for Kavkaz.Realii.
According to NIYSO, following his abduction, Arsanov was subjected to torture and forced to sign a confession regarding a criminal case that activists describe as fabricated. FSB officers reportedly participated in the interrogations.
A source speaking to Kavkaz.Realii stated that Arsanov was detained on April 26; he had traveled to the Russian capital for work.
The source reported that police initially denied holding the young man. Later, his father was permitted to see him. Their last meeting took place in early June—by which time Arsanov had already signed a confession regarding money transfers that investigators allege were linked to Syria. To date, however, the family has not been provided with any procedural documents.
The source also noted that, prior to his detention, Arsanov had not been subjected to any pressure from security forces.
