In Dagestan, a teenager is facing trial on charges of promoting terrorism. The criminal investigation against the minor has been completed. He is charged with publicly justifying terrorism (Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Russian Criminal Code), which carries a prison sentence of up to seven years.
The defense team for the defendants in the Pension Fund embezzlement case in Ingushetia (including Magomed-Bashir Kalimatov, the brother of the head of Ingushetia, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov) is requesting their transfer from the Armavir pretrial detention center in Krasnodar Krai. The lawyers cite poor conditions and the significant distance to the Cherkessk City Court, where the case is being heard.
"These are elderly people, mostly women. We're not asking for their release, but rather for improved conditions. They're located far from the court; it takes four to five hours to transport them from Krasnodar Krai. They're brought in on the day of the hearing, leaving minimal time for communication with their lawyers. The conditions are very difficult," said lawyer Georgy Alexandrov.
In response, a representative of the state prosecutor suggested sending a corresponding letter to the prosecutor's office overseeing the pretrial detention center.
The former head of the Ingush Postal Service, 66-year-old Magomed-Bashir Kalimatov, is being held in the Armavir detention center. He has previously complained about his conditions. He has previously appealed to the regional human rights ombudsmen, Karachay-Cherkessia, and Krasnodar Krai. According to him, the journey from Armavir to Cherkessk in a cold paddy wagon takes over three hours, and he is being held in a damp basement cell with mold on the walls and ceilings.
Kalimatov and 28 others are accused of embezzling 519 million rubles. As part of the case, the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation has filed a civil lawsuit for 371 million rubles. The defendants plead not guilty.